Family Assistance Program
United Virginia Chapter of the NHF Family Assistance Program
Purpose
To improve the quality of life for individuals/families with bleeding disorders
by providing financial support, based on availability of funding, to help pay
for:
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Expenses incurred in the care, treatment, or prevention of a bleeding disorder
such as, transportation to clinic or hospital, medic alert bracelets, and
related expenses are a priority.
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Other basic living expenses will be considered on a case by case basis and may
include dental expenses, assistance with utility expenses, rent, etc.
Note: Because of the time-line in processing these requests, these funds
cannot be considered for most emergency related expenses. Every effort should
be made to utilize other community resources such as PSI (Patient Services Inc,
Social Services, food banks and other organizations that routinely meet these
types of needs. This program is intended to help individuals and families after
other sources of assistance have been exhausted or unavailable.
Eligibility
Successful applicants will meet the following criteria:
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Resident of the defined geography of the United Virginia Chapter of NHF or
receive treatment for bleeding disorders at any of the three area HTC’s (CHKD,
VCU Med Ctr. or UVA Med Ctr.)
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Parent or caregiver of an individual living in your home or an individual with
a diagnosis of: A bleeding disorder, the treatment and care of which is within
the mission and purpose of the United Virginia Chapter as determined by the
Executive Director in consultation with the Executive Board.
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Complete all sections of the application thoroughly and accurately in order for
UVC/NHF to review the request. If a question does not apply, it should be
marked not applicable (n/a). Failure to provide complete and truthful
information may result in denial of your request.
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Coordinate request with Social Worker/Nurse Coordinator at a hemophilia
treatment center or other healthcare provider treating bleeding disorders.
Administration
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Funding Assistance is not guaranteed and is dependent upon availability of
funds. Payment of funds upon approval cannot be guaranteed earlier than two
weeks, and may take longer, from the date of the request due to committee
logistics.
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Disbursements will be monitored and reported with names omitted to the Board of
Directors.
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Assistance is limited to twice per calendar year unless special circumstances
are presented.
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The assistance amount has been set at $250. per request.
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The application will be reviewed as an “identity blinded” document by the
current “Family Assistance Committee”. However, circumstances may require that
the documents may be processed by the chapter Treasurer, President and/or
Executive Director.
Confidentiality
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All applications and information pertaining to funding requests are considered
confidential to the extent permitted by applicable law.
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Aggregate data on the Family Assistance Fund will be available, but will not
include the names or any identity information.
Request Process
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Applications are available by contacting Jeff Krecek, Treasurer at 434-295-9515
(evenings) or through your treatment center. If you have any questions call
1-800-266-8438.
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Requests can be received by Treasurer, Jeff Krecek either from the treatment
center, physician or directly from the patient/family.
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In order to facilitate your request, it is highly recommended, if possible,
that you review your application with the social worker or nurse coordinator at
your hemophilia treatment center. The treatment center can review and forward
your application to the UVC/NHF.
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Before payment can be issued, a bill must be submitted with the request.
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All identifying information is removed and the facts of the request are sent to
the Family Assistance Review Committee Chair or directly to the entire
committee as deemed practical.
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The committee chair contacts the other members of the committee to discuss the
request and make a decision.
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The decision is communicated to the treasurer who in turn notifies the
appropriate treatment center or person making the request.
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The treasurer ensures that the patient/family requesting assistance is not
chronically abusing the system.
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Any request that is approved is generally paid/endorsed directly to the company
owed the payment such as phone, utility or mortgage company. Copies of the
request, bills and payments will be kept on file.
A copy of the Needs Assessment form is available
here.