R E S O U R C E S
HELP STARTS HERE!
Medical Hardship Resource Hub for Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Families
If you or a loved one are facing a medical emergency or chronic illness that’s caused a financial strain, you are not alone. This page offers practical, step-by-step guidance and verified local and national resources to help you stay afloat during uncertain times.
Support for Employed Families on Extended Medical Leave
You're doing everything right — working hard, following doctors orders, and still
struggling financially because you're out of work. Here are steps to help protect your
income, home, and credit while you recover.
1. File for Short-Term Disability or Long-Term Disability
● Employer-Sponsored Disability Insurance: Many middle-class workers have this but
don’t realize it. Contact HR to request a claim packet.
● Private Disability Insurance: Check if you have your own policy (e.g., Aflac, Mutual of
Omaha) and file.
● State & Federal Benefits:
o Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – If your condition will last 12
months or longer ssa.gov/benefits/disability
o Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Protects your job for up to 12 weeks
(unpaid) dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
2. Request a Temporary Hardship Plan with Creditors & Mortgage Companies
● Mortgage Lenders & Auto Loans: Ask for “forbearance” or “hardship deferral”
● Credit Cards: Many offer payment plans with no penalties if you disclose a temporary
hardship
● Student Loans: Request an “economic hardship deferment” or “income-driven
repayment” plan
3. Negotiate Medical Bills & Hospital Payment Plans
● Ask the billing department to apply hospital charity care programs or set up 0%
interest payment plans
● Mention your middle-income medical hardship status — some hospitals (like Baylor
Scott & White) have tiered income-based relief
● Helpful Tool: Dollar For – They help families apply for hospital charity care for free
4. Protect Housing & Transportation
● If you're on unpaid leave but not unemployed, you're still eligible to apply for:
o Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) – Dallas or Fort Worth
Check city housing departments for up-to-date programs
o On the Road Lending – Helps you restructure car loans during hardship
o Texas Utility Help Program – Temporary support with electricity, water, gas
bills texasutilityhelp.com
5. Income Gap Resources
● Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – Even if your income drops temporarily, you may
now qualify irs.gov/EITC
● Texas SNAP or Medicaid for Temporary Coverage – Even if not permanent, you may
qualify while out of work YourTexasBenefits.com
6. Mental Health & Caregiver Support
● NAMI North Texas – Free support groups for individuals and family members dealing
with medical trauma or stress naminorthtexas.org
● Caregiver Action Network – Support if you’re caring for a spouse or child
caregiveraction.org
Immediate Medical & Financial Crisis Relief
● Texas 2-1-1 (211texas.org): State-run resource database for housing, utilities, food,
transportation, and healthcare.
● Catholic Charities Dallas & Fort Worth – Emergency financial assistance and case
management ccdallas.org | ccdofw.org
● Community Council of Greater Dallas – Rental, utility, and job support for those
impacted by illness ccadvance.org
● Medical City Healthcare Financial Assistance
medicalcityhealthcare.com
Prescription & Copay Assistance
● NeedyMeds.org – Search by condition, medication, or assistance program
needyMeds.org
● GoodRx – Compare local prescription prices and find discount coupons
goodrx.com
● PAN Foundation – Co-pay assistance based on diagnosis
panfoundation.org
● HealthWell Foundation – Help with insurance premiums, co-pays
healthwellfoundation.org
Illness-Specific Resources
Cancer
● Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Co-pay and travel help lls.org
● Susan G. Komen Dallas County komen.org
● Lung Cancer Research Foundation lungcancerresearchfoundation.org
● Colontown colontown.org
Diabetes
-
Diabetes Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program
copays.org -
American Diabetes Association – North Texas
diabetes.org
Heart Disease & Stroke
-
American Heart Association – DFW Chapter
heart.org
Other Chronic Illnesses
-
Use Patient Advocate Foundation’s directory
(Case management + insurance navigation)
Housing, Utilities & Transportation Assistance
● North Texas Area Community Health Centers – Social services + referrals ntachc.org
● City of Dallas Rental Assistance Program dallasrentrelief.com
● Union Gospel Mission DFW – Emergency shelter & stability services ugmdallas.org
● On the Road Lending – Affordable car loans for working families ontheroadlending.org
Employment & Income Protection
● Texas Workforce Commission – Unemployment, Disability & Job Help twc.texas.gov
● Social Security Disability (SSDI & SSI)ssa.gov
● Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) – Not offered in Texas, but info helps people advocate with employers
Additional Local Help & Nonprofits
● Brother Bill’s Helping Hand – Health services + food support
bbhh.org
● Hope Clinic of McKinney – Medical & dental care for uninsured
thehopeclinic.org
● Mission Arlington – Medical assistance, prescriptions, rent, and more
missionarlington.org