Losing a limb is a difficult experience and can lead to financial and emotional anxiety. Financial stress often comes with the many costs that are associated with an amputation including surgery, prosthetics, and medical equipment to help you regain strength and get around safely. Limb amputation can also affect you emotionally, since it is hard to prepare for such a change. It takes time to adjust and learn how to perform daily tasks, and financial issues can add to this toll on your emotional well-being.
Thankfully, there’s financial assistance in place for individuals who have gone through limb amputation, allowing amputees to adjust without the stress of worrying about debt.
If you are unaware of how to go about finding and obtaining financial assistance, learning how much you are eligible for, or where you can go to get the help you need, the following information will take you through the necessary steps, as well as provide you with a list of organizations available to assist you.
Applying for Financial Assistance
Before receiving financial aid, there are some preparations you’ll need to make, but this doesn’t have to be a daunting task. There are various limb loss resources for you to access with knowledgeable team members ready to help you. Here are the three steps you’ll need to get started, according to the Amputee Coalition:
1. Determine which assistive devices you’ll need.
- Some things you’ll want to consider include whether you need to replace or get new equipment such as a wheelchair, crutches, or other necessary items. For those who are recent amputees, it’s important to consult with a medical or rehabilitation professional before completing this first step.
2. Get a prescription for the device(s).
3. Gather various personal information.
- To make the process more efficient, be sure to keep your documents organized and easy to access. Information you will need includes primary disability, secondary disability, employment history, family income, health insurance information, monthly expenses, name, age, and relationship of dependents.
Don’t be dissuaded. As mentioned, a wide variety of tools and resources are available to help you with these steps and get you on your way to receiving the financial assistance you deserve.
Finding Financial Assistance
When it comes to successfully securing funding assistance, it greatly depends on the individual’s ability to meet the requirements of the agency. Each nonprofit/government assistance program is different and requires different documentation. Be sure to do a little research to ensure you are fulfilling required steps.
Financial assistance resources available to amputees include nonprofit organizations, children’s and young adults services, and state and federally funded sources of financial assistance. Below is a list of helpful organizations to get you started.
Nonprofit
Children’s and Young Adults
State and Federally Funded
Whether you, a loved one, or a friend has undergone an amputation, we want you to know there are endless resources available to you. Aside from financial assistance, there are many psychological and emotional support organizations ready to support and care for individuals throughout the recovery process. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources because we want you to enjoy the best quality of life possible.
At Muskegon Surgical Associates, we have a team of knowledgeable experts ready to assist you in any way we can. To learn more about our services, visit our website or call us at 231-739-9461.