Ellen's Hand

Ellen’s Hand Program Description (click here to download application)

POLICY: To provide direct low cost or free assistance to clients by offering nutritional supplements, nutritional counseling, or education opportunities.

HISTORY: Ellen’s Hand is a program named in honor of a Houston woman, Ellen Hahn, who, after being diagnosed with the HIV virus, dedicated the rest of her life and energy helping others manage this disease. Both locally and nationally, Ellen worked tirelessly to help all those afflicted with chronic disease triumph over the often negative social and physical impacts. Please click here to read the complete story.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this program is to provide nutritional supplements to people living with a chronic health condition who otherwise could not afford to pay for them. These supplements are used to help manage side effects caused by disease or by prescribed medications, or they are used to provide additional immune support needed by the body.

WHAT IS PROVIDED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM: Any combination of vitamins, protein powders, herbs, and/or other nutritional supplements stocked by this program. Inventory is limited. The list of nutritional supplements available through this program changes daily and is dependant on the donations received from vitamin manufacturers, individuals, foundations and fund raisers. PSEM will provide up to a three month supply of the available nutritional supplements. (click here to download current inventory)

Three-Month Supply: If a client consumes 1,000 mg of Vitamin C daily and is requesting an available item, Vitamin C, 500 mg, 30 capsules, then Ellen’s Hand would provide 90 capsules.

HOW TO APPLY: To apply for this program, a client needs to complete the application and submit the required documents to PSEM either in-person, by mail, or by email, preferably in a sealed envelope addressed to Ellen’s Hand. This information is also available in the Houston Buyers Club store near the entrance on the side of the mustard colored arch.

IS THERE A COST?: If a client is approved for this program there is no cost for the nutritional supplements. If a client needs the orders to be shipped, HBC charges a flat rate of $7.95.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? The spirit of this program is to help anyone living with a chronic health condition gain access to free nutritional supplements who otherwise could not afford them. In order to determine who is eligible, HBC incorporates the eligibility process used by many federal programs, especially the Ryan White Care Act. To be enrolled in this program, each person’s file must contain:

Application for service, Ellen’s Hand Application.
Proof of residency (examples: copy of light bill, phone bill...)
Proof of income (examples: tax return, social security award letter, last three check stubs) Annual income cannot exceed 400% of poverty level (reference chart below).

Income: 400% of Poverty Level

48 Contiguous States & DC

Alaska

Hawaii

# in Family or Household

1

$41,600

$52,000

$47,840

2

$56,000

$70,000

$64,400

3

$70,400

$88,000

$80,960

4

$84,800

$106,000

$97,520

5

$99,200

$124,000

$114,080

6

$113,600

$142,000

$130,640

7

$128,000

$160,000

$147,200

8

$142,400

$178,000

$163,760

Picture ID (Examples: copy of Drivers’ license, passport, ID card, Prison ID card)
Proof of illness from a doctor (a short one line sentence from a physician on a Rx pad will do) or a short note from any medical staff person listed below. The client must be living with a chronic health condition. Included but not limited to HIV, Cancer, Hepatitis C, Obesity, Diabetes, Chronic Fatigue, and Hypertension.

‘Certified Nutritionalist’ C.N.
‘Certified Clinical Nutritionist’ C.C.N.
‘Medical Doctor’ M.D.
‘Doctor of Osteopath’ D.O.
‘Registered Dietitian’ R.D.
‘Physicians Assistant’ P.A.

Prescription or recommendation for supplements from any of the medical staff below:

‘Certified Nutritionalist’ C.N.
‘Certified Clinical Nutritionist’ C.C.N.
‘Medical Doctor’ M.D.
‘Doctor of Osteopath’ D.O.
‘Registered Dietitian’ R.D.
‘Physicians Assistant’ P.A.

The prescription or recommendation can indicate 'PRN' (refill as needed), or the necessary refills indicated by medical staff so that the client does not have to get a prescription or recommendation every time a refill is needed.

The prescription or recommendation MUST indicate the specific vitamin(s) or supplement(s) dose. For example, if the doctor or clinician wants the client to have Vitamin C, indicate 'Vitamin C - 1,000 mg - 3 times per day'.

If a client has trouble getting prescriptions or recommendation from healthcare providers, the HBC on-staff registered dietitian may be able to provide the recommendation.

HOW DOES A CLIENT SUBMIT INFORMATION: This information may be handed in person to a customer service (counter) person; or it may be mailed to:

Houston Buyers Club
ATTENTION Ellen’s Hand
3224 Yoakum Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006

Or, the info can be emailed to ellenshand@houstonbuyersclub.com

Or, the info can be faxed to: Fax 713-521-7419

WHEN ARE ORDERS PROCESSED? After all information has been collected the order is processed by the R.D. who will review the requests and the documents and pull the inventory stock for the client. This process happens on Thursday and Friday.

DELIVERY OF SUPPLEMENTS TO CLIENTS: After a client has been approved for assistance, the nutritional supplements can be picked up at the customer service counter in Houston Buyers Club. The client or one appointed by the client, can pick up the order. A signature on a receipt will be required by party picking up the order. Arrangements can be made to have the order shipped for a flat shipping fee of $7.95.


	Mission Statement: To improve the quality of life for people with health-related conditions through nutritional education and affordable nutritional supplements. Houston Buyers Club is a project of the Program For Side Effects Management a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.


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