MISSOURI & FEDERAL
Financial Assistance Programs
STATE – The state of Missouri has programs to assist citizens with disabilities that interfere with their ability to financially support themselves, including mental disability.
Medical Expenses ( HealthNet):
You can either apply for HealthNet coverage yourself or apply for legal aid assistance. Legal aid assistance: 1) no cost legal assistance for low income parties; 2) then legal aid attorney will seek state review and determination of qualified disability assignment. When the state formally recognizes and acknowledges the disability, then 3) apply through the MO Department of Social Services for HealthNet program (pays for medical care). Upon approval of the application HealthNet a DCN number is issued. 4) Continuing participation in the HealthNet program has to be reviewed and approved annually in response to paperwork provided in the mail from the MO Department of Social Services. During the Covid crisis, the annual renewal process has been frozen and annual review requirement have temporarily suspended.
Legal Aid – Legal Aid of Western Missouri, 1125 Grand Blvd, KC, MO 64106
PH: 816-474-6750 FAX: 816-474-1578
Website: www.lawmo.org
Apply for MO HealthNet – Family Support Division through the Missouri Department of Social Services through. the Missouri Department of Social Services: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and HealthNet: https://mydss.mo.gov/apply.
The MO HealthNet Services page can be found at:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”):
Food stamp assistance – 1) After a DCN number is issued, apply for 2) SNAP (food assistance) program. If an EBT card is issued; then continuing qualification will be reviewed annually in response to paperwork received in the mail from the Missouri Department of Social Services. 3) During Covid crisis, the renewal process has been frozen and annual review requirement have temporarily been suspended.
INSURANCE CARRIERS IN THE KANSAS CITY MARKET
As a first-step to identifying which doctors and medical facilities will accept your insurance, you’ll find below a listing of regional Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) carriers.
Notes:
- We suggest that you contact the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm the BC/BS carrier for which your insurance is associated. Do not assume that because you live in Kansas City that you have Blue KC (e.g., In Kansas City, St. Luke’s employees are covered by BC/BS Michigan).
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse Pre-certification is a separate contact number and can be found on the back of your insurance card.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield:
Listed below are Blue Cross/Blue Shield carriers
Blue Cross/Blue Shield – New Directions handles most of these insurance carriers but it all depends on which BC/BS insurance you have:
BC/BS Alabama – 1-855-339-9812 BC/BS
Michigan 1-877-233-3262
BC/BS Kansas – 1-877-280-9245 BCBS
Arkansas – 1-877-210-2685
Blue KC – 1-877-228-9370
Florida Blue – 1-866-350-2280
BCBS Louisiana – 1-877-206-4865
Walmart – 1-877-210-2685
Aetna:
Phone: 1-833-901-3106 (concierge line which will put you in touch with a local provider)
FEDERAL – Social Security income assistance programs are described below. A private disability services attorney is engaged to represent the client and escort the client through the involved process. The attorney earns percentage portion of back-pay from time of the start of disability, if benefit is retroactively granted. Otherwise, no additional fees are payable to the attorney.
Social Income Assistance Programs are as follows:
- Social Security Disability Income – Living expense assistance for persons that have paid into and funded their Social Security account.
- Social Security Supplemental Income, (“SSI”) – Living expense assistance for persons that have not worked for a number of years and that have not funded their social security account.
IF QUALIFIED – CONTACT INFORMATION:
Social Security – The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs provide assistance to people with disabilities: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/