FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card Program
In April 2008, The United Way of Greater Mercer County (UWGMC) partnered with the FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card Program to provide the citizens of Mercer County with prescription discount cards to help individuals and their families lower the cost of their medicine. The FamilyWize cards have been used primary for people with no health insurance or prescription coverage, however they can also be used when people buy medicine that is not covered by their health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or VA benefits. FamilyWize cards even include prescription pet medications when purchased at a pharmacy.
In the past two years, 15, 027 individuals have used the FamilyWize cards to reduce prescription drug costs by an average of 30% percent or $17.80 per prescription (depending on the type of medication). United Way provides these cards to local pharmacies, our funded partners, emergency assistance programs, county programs, schools, and neighborhood service centers, health clinics, senior programs, DYFS, community organizations and individuals.
In these difficult times is always helpful to know that many individuals in our community will continue to benefit from the FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card program in Mercer County. Because of the present economic situation, more and more individuals and families are now using the discount card to get their most needed medications. United Way has seen a huge increased in individuals and families using the cards due in part to companies cutting back on employees and leaving them with no health insurance coverage and most recently, many elderly seniors are now affected due to the rising cost of their prescriptions.
Please download the prescription card from our web-site and begin using the card right away. Individuals or organizations wishing to obtain additional cards free of charge should please contact Ely S. Mateo at the United Way of Greater Mercer County 609-637-4918 or email . Thank you for helping us to improve lives in our community.
Click here to download a FamilyWize card
Helpful tips during tough economic times
United Way of Greater Mercer County focuses on helping individuals and families become financially stable and achieve long-term economic independence. We offer tools and strategies that help individuals and families increase their income, build savings, and gain and sustain assets.
Are you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Have you received notice from a lender asking you to contact them?
Tips for avoiding foreclosure
If you’re unable to make your mortgage payment
- Don’t ignore the problem.
The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely you will lose your house. - Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem.
Lenders do not want your house. They have options to help borrowers through difficult financial times. - Open and respond to all mail from your lender.
The first notices you will receive offer good information about foreclosure prevention options that can help you weather financial problems. Later mail may include important notice of pending legal action. Your failure to open the mail will not be an excuse in foreclosure court. - Know your mortgage rights.
Find your loan documents and read them so you know what your lender may do if you can’t make your payments. Learn about the foreclosure laws and timeframes in your state (as every state is different) by contacting the State Government Housing Office. - Understand foreclosure prevention options.
Valuable information about foreclosure prevention (also called loss mitigation) options can be found on the internet at The Federal Housing Administration and The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. - Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low cost housing counseling nationwide. Housing counselors can help you understand the law and your options, reorganize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if you need this assistance. Find a HUD-approved housing counselor near you by calling (800) 569-4287 or on the internet at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm. - Prioritize your spending.
After healthcare, keeping your house should be your first priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payment. Look for optional expenses--cable TV, memberships, entertainment – that you can eliminate. - Use your assets.
Do you have assets—a second car, jewelry, a whole life insurance policy—that you can sell for cash to help reinstate your loan? Can anyone in your household get an extra job to bring in additional income? Even if these efforts don’t significantly increase your available cash or your income, they demonstrate to your lender that you are willing to make sacrifices to keep your home. - Avoid foreclosure prevention companies.
You don’t need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help--use that money to pay the mortgage instead. Many for-profit companies will contact you promising to negotiate with your lender. While these may be legitimate businesses, they will charge you a hefty fee (often two or three month’s mortgage payment) for information and services your lender or a HUD-approved housing counselor will provide free if you contact them. - Don’t lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams!
If any firm claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and becoming a renter in your home! Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice from an attorney, a trusted real estate professional, or a HUD-approved housing counselor. Additional tips can be found on Freddie Mac’s “Don’t Borrow Trouble” website.
Content provided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
To find out more about EITC pleae visit this link.