In Pain, Out of Work and Can't Pay the Bills
A Resource Directory for People with CRPS

Anyone who has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), or has a family member or friend afflicted with it, knows how physically, emotionally, and financially devastating it can be. We constantly get requests for help, and although there is not a simple solution, there are many programs that may help you. Four years ago we published the first edition of this directory to try and give some direction to our members. Since then, we have received many suggestions from members on how to expand the directory and make it more user friendly. We hope we have done so, with added information and expanded phone and website contact lists. There are no simple answers for those of you who need financial assistance while other decisions are pending, but you do have a number of options.

The good news is there is help out there. However, much of it is highly bureaucratic and time consuming. If you can, enlist a friend or family member to advocate for you with some of these agencies.

Keep in mind that your physician can be your most important ally. Finding a physician or other healthcare professional who can document your condition and your treatment is the key to success in getting any kind of help. Make sure you have an alliance you can trust.

In many cases you may have to educate or update your physician and other health care providers about programs available.

Much of the information on this directory is referenced to the web. In today's information environment, it is the easiest and fastest way to negotiate the myriad programs out there. However, we have tried to be sensitive to the fact that many people still do not have easy access to online information; we have included mailing addresses and telephone numbers where available.

This kind of project will always be a work in progress, and we hope that anyone who has additional information to share will do so via e-mail to newsletter@rsds.org or mail to RSDSA, PO Box 502, Milford, CT, 06460.

Debra Nelson-Hogan
Editor

Introduction
Assistive Devices
Caregiver Resources
Clinical Trials
Disability Resources
Government Assistance Programs
Health Services/Insurance
Independent Living Centers
Legal Aid
Living Expenses
Patient Assistance Programs
Service, Faith-based, and Private Organizations
Transportation
Veterans
Workers Compensation

Appendices:
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Finding Free Clinics

Updated October 26, 2010