Resources and Services
If you are experiencing difficulties, you are not alone. Whether it is providing food or housing for yourself and your family, finding a mental wellness balance in your life, or finding out where to obtain HIV treatment and how to pay for it, there are services in Brevard County and online that provide information and assistance.
“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), called food assistance in Florida and formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides food benefits, access to a healthy diet, and education on food preparation and nutrition to low-income households. “
To qualify for SNAP
- You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or
- You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 and share your household with one of the following:
- A person or persons age 60 and over or
- A person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).
Food security
How to receive assistance
There are many food pantries in Brevard County. Some are available several times per week, and others are available on a monthly basis. Soup kitchens are also available. For those who would like assistance in applying for Food Stamps, be sure to read the flyer below as there are is a SNAP application assistance program available for those who need it.
Find food pantries & soup kitchens Apply for SNAP
Housing Assistance
Whether it is finding a place to stay or help with rent or utilities, there are several programs in the area that offer assistance with housing. The agencies listed on the right may offer help to those who qualify.
You can also call or visit 211, and it can be used to help finding options to pay your rent, mortgage, or utilities bills and stay in your home. Meanwhile, Brevard County Housing and Human Services offers Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Applications.
“If you are paying more than 1/3 of your income for housing expenses and having difficulties with other bills and basic needs, consider the following:
Lower Costs: Although moving is a difficult change, finding affordable rent, or downsizing to lower your mortgage, is the best way to ensure you aren’t spending too much income on housing.
Public Housing: Public housing was established to provide rental housing for eligible low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities.” -211.org
If you find yourself in need of a place to stay due to domestic violence, contact Women’s Center of Brevard at 321-607-6809 or visit their website.
Housing Authority Brevard
Housing Authority of Brevard County is based in Melbourne Florida, and the phone number to reach them is (321) 775-1592.
Family Promise of Brevard
Their mission is to end family homelessness in Brevard County. Phone number: 321-209-3391
South Brevard Sharing Center
When funds are available, financial support may be provided for prescriptions, utilities, and rent. On site we provide food, health & hygiene items, clothing, and household items. 321-727-8581
Community Action
Offer a Self-Sufficiency Program as well as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Call 321-952-6334 for more information.
Brevard Homeless Coalition
Specialists assess callers who are homeless or at risk of homeless and refer to appropriate programs
Call 2-1-1 for more information.
“Mental health…is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.” — Noam Shpancer, PhD
Mental Health Hotlines
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or chat online
- Veterans Crisis Line: call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1; or text 838255
- Crisis Text Line: text the word ‘Home’ to 741-741
- CDC National HIV and AIDS Hotline
(800) 232-4636 - The Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: call 1-866-488-7386
- The Trans Lifeline: call 1-877-565-8860
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-7233 - National Sexual Assault Hotline
(800) 656-4673
Mental Wellness
Well-being
Mental wellness is a lifelong journey to strengthen our mental, emotional, social, and psychological resources. Every individual is unique and so is each person’s mental health journey. There is no shame in making ourselves stronger, more independent, or finding our own voice.
Depression
One of the most common mental health conditions that people with HIV face is depression. Depression can range from mild to severe, and the symptoms of depression can affect your day-to-day life.
Depression is treatable. Talk to your health care provider, social worker, or case manager to refer you to a mental health provider who can give you the care you need.
HIV and Mental Health
For some, HIV can be a major source of stress. It can also complicate already existing health conditions. A good and reliable mental health resource can help manage the stress related to HIV. Everyone deserves to live their best life and manage their mental well-being.
Circles of Care
The mission of Circles of Care is to promote and provide high quality mental health, alcohol, drug abuse and related services to its customers through its hospital based and State and County contracted programs.
Intake Services Department: 321-914-0640.
SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, which provides confidential and anonymous information for persons seeking treatment facilities for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY: 1-800-487-4889
Text your zip code to: 435748 (HELP4U)
samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Journey Pure
Offers individual, couples, family, and group counseling for individuals from all walks of life. They also offer Intensive Outpatient Program/Partial Hospitalization Program and addiction treatment.
Phone: 844-856-2585
Hotlines:
SAMHSA
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
MAT Medications, Counseling, and Related Conditions
Other federal websites
Stay Informed
Find out how to recognize an overdose
Visit isaveFL.com to find a naloxone provider near you.
The Infectious Disease Elimination Act:
Working to Eliminate Infectious Diseases in Florida
Nearly 20% of people diagnosed with mental health disorder also use prescription opioids. Visit Bicycle Health to read about Mental Health & Opioid Use Disorder.
Substance Use
We will not pressure you to quit substance use, as it is your decision on how you choose to manage it. You may decide to do it less often or stop substance use completely.
A substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to a person’s inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications
“Look forward with hope, not backward with regret”
Finding HIV Care
Once you are diagnosed with HIV, you should seek HIV care immediately. With proper HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy or ART) a person can stay healthy. HIV medicine can reduce the amount of HIV in your blood (also called your viral load) to an undetectable level.
It is also important to inform your sex partner(s) and/or people with whom you inject drugs of your status. This way, you can take steps for yourself and your partner(s) to stay healthy. For tips on how to start the conversation with your partner(s), check out CDC’s Start Talking. Stop HIV. campaign.
“HIV changed my life, but it doesn’t keep me from living. Life doesn’t stop because something happens to you. I enjoy being the messenger for God in terms of letting people know about HIV and AIDS. It’s a burden trying to keep a secret” – Magic Johnson
HIV Services
Find HIV care services across the United States, including HIV medical care, housing assistance, substance abuse, and mental health services.
See site for details
HRSA
Find your state HIV/AIDS toll-free hotline to connect with agencies that can help determine what services you are eligible for and help you get them
Find Ryan White Provider
Find Ryan White HIV medical care providers who can help people living with HIV access the medical care they need but can’t afford
Learn about PrEP
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.
How to apply for Medicare
When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can join a plan. Then, during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7), you can join, switch, or drop a plan. Your coverage will begin on January 1. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is January 1 – March 31 each year.
To get information and learn how to enroll in coverage, visit Medicare.gov or Medicare.gov en Español or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Patient Assistance Programs
Many pharmaceutical companies provides medications to uninsured patients and cost-sharing assistance to offset out-of-pocket costs for higher cost drugs. Below are resources for finding prescription drug assistance information.
- NASTAD: Pharmaceutical Company HIV Treatment Assistance Programs and Cost-Sharing Assistance Programs
Detailed information on patient assistance and cost-sharing assistance programs for HIV drugs. - Medicine Assistance Tool
Helps patients find resources and cost-sharing programs that may help lower out-of-pocket costs. - RxHope
Searchable database of patient assistance programs for medications. - Together Rx Access
Provides savings to US, CA & UK customers to find lower prices for medications.
Apply for SSI
HIV is listed among the Social Security Administration’s official list of health conditions eligible for disability status, including receiving monetary benefits. If you can demonstrate HIV impairs your ability to work, you may be eligible for SSA.
How can someone help you apply
Paying for HIV Care
Staying in care and taking your medication regularly as prescribed by your physician can keep you healthy. We understand that attending medical appointments can be difficult, and there are several resources that can assist you in paying for HIV related care.
Private Insurance
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most job-based and individual plans are required to offer new benefits and protections. For example, plans cannot drop someone or deny them coverage just because of a pre-existing health condition, like HIV.
The Health Insurance Marketplace Healthcare.gov
Established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Health Insurance Marketplace, available at Healthcare.gov, helps uninsured people find and apply for quality, affordable health coverage.
Medicaid Apply for Medicaid
Medicaid provides coverage to low-income families, qualified pregnant women and children, and individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid at any time.
Medicare Apply for Medicare
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease. It covers all medically necessary treatment for a person with HIV.
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Testing and services locator
Ryan White CARE Act was passed by congress in 1990 and is focused on providing care and treatment services to people living with HIV. Services include: HIV medical care, medications, mental health services, dental care, insurance medication co-pays and more. The program is for those who do not have sufficient health care coverage or financial resources to cope with HIV disease. Ryan White fills gaps in care not covered by other sources.
Federal Programs for Women and Children
There are several federal programs to help low-income women and children access health care. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides free or low-cost health insurance coverage for children up to age 19. Visit www.insurekidsnow.gov to learn more and see if you are eligible for coverage or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669).
“A lot of my time was spent searching, thinking and planning my life.”
Ryan White