Queensland Positive People (QPP) and HIV Foundation Queensland (HIVFQ) have announced the continuation of the Queensland HIV Emergency Treatment Fund.
The fund was established to provide emergency funding for HIV-related treatment and services to people living with HIV in Queensland, who are experiencing financial hardship and have exhausted all other avenues of support, and it’s been extended for another 12 months and available until June 30 next year.
The fund is for HIV treatment and services for all people living with HIV in Queensland including those who are Medicare-eligible and experiencing financial hardship that may cause delay or cessation of treatment such as the inability to pay for co-payments; and those who are Medicare-ineligible to facilitate access to early and ongoing HIV treatment and services.
To apply, you need to either contact Queensland Positive People to discuss your situation, or contact the Queensland HIV Public Health Team or your HIV specialist clinician. They must fill in an application form on your behalf as the fund doesn’t accept applications from individuals.
You will be assessed under the following criteria:
– Medicare eligible PLHIV with a low-income health care card experiencing financial stress/crisis resulting in disruption or risk of cessation of HIV treatment; or
– Medicare eligible PLHIV with no health care card experiencing an emergency financial stress/crisis resulting in disruption or risk of cessation of HIV treatment; or
– Medicare ineligible PLHIV with no income or income equivalent to but not greater than eligibility for a low-income health care card who are unable to access HIV services and treatments
Before you apply for the HIV Treatment Fund it’s expected that you’ve explored all other options, including health insurance options; asking your doctor about applying for treatment under a compassionate access scheme; asking your doctor whether fees for appointments, pathology and treatments can be covered by the clinic under special circumstances by the Local Health and Hospital Service; purchasing generic treatments online instead; and applying for other community emergency relief funds.
Applications can be submitted by Queensland Positive People, the Queensland HIV Public Health Team or HIV/sexual health specialist clinicians. More information about the Queensland HIV Emergency Treatment Fund and an online application form are available from QPP’s website.
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