Financial Aid for Impoverished Florida Residents with Celiac Disease

Gluten-Free Living is reporting that the Palm Beach County Celiac Support Group, based in Delray Beach, Florida, has launched a Gluten-Free Food Assistance program for South Florida residents with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis who are living at or below the poverty level. People accepted into the program will receive a $25 monthly credit voucher that can be used at designated stores to buy gluten-free items.

According to the magazine’s report, applicants to the program must provide proof that their income meets federal poverty guideline levels and/or proof of participation in other public assistance programs, including food stamps, federal public housing assistance or Medicaid. The support group's board of directors will then determine who qualifies for the assistance program. All information provided as part of the application process will be strictly confidential.

This year, the program will accept up to 30 participants. South Florida residents who wish to apply should contact the group’s president, Phyllis Kessler, at 561-637-0396 or Pkessler23@aol.com.

In today’s scary economic climate, it would be wonderful if celiac support groups around the world could develop similar programs.

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