Catawba County Assistance Programs

Prescription Drug Assistance

Residents of Catawba County, including Hickory, Lenoir and Morganton can receive help with paying for prescription drug purchases through a program offered by the county government. The Catawba County Social Services' National Association of Counties Prescription Drug Discount Card Program provides savings. The assistance program is offered to residents of those counties that are members of National Association of County Organizations. There is no cost of fee to Catawba County residents for participation in this program. Dial (828) 695-5600.

The prescription discount cards are free and are available to every family residing in Catawba County — with no age, income or health restrictions. The plan is not insurance. The cards provide immediate discounts at participating pharmacies for all uninsured and underinsured family members. There are 41 participating pharmacies in Catawba County.

The program is extensive. All commonly prescribed prescription medications and drugs, even including pet medications, are eligible for a discount. It also covers those with no insurance or who are underinsured.

Catawba County residents have saved more than $1.6 million on prescription drug purchases the program began. In Catawba County, the average savings on prescription drugs is 27 percent off the regular retail price

This prescription discount card offers free, easy, and significant savings for both the uninsured and underinsured families and individuals of our county. It even helps those with full insurance save money on medical bills. More on National Association of County Organizations and other ways to get help with medical bills.

Emergency financial assistance for paying bills

Many churches and other charities have joined together to form the Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministries. Phone number 828-465-1702. They offer several different assistance programs and therefore focus on four service areas and assistance programs. They include providing education aid, food for feeding the hungry, free or discounted clothing for the needy, and Emergency Crisis Assistance for paying bills. Qualified families and individuals can get help for paying rent, utility bills, get free fuel and heating oil and pharmaceuticals.

Hickory Salvation Army (828-322-8061) provides aid for the basic human necessities to those in need of help. The charity organization provides and runs a resource center for providing for financial assistance for those in need. The administer the Shelter of Hope for the homeless, and three Thrift Stores located on site provide affordable furniture, food and clothing for those on a limited budget. While funding is limited, they can also provide crisis financial assistance for paying for rent, utilities, and fuel, and other bills.

While there is no local community action agency, the Catawba County Department of Social Services serves a similar role. Learn more on community action agencies and what these organizations do.

The Catawba County Department of Social Services ((828) 695-5603) runs a host of programs, including the following. But this is just a sampling.

• Food assistance and meals for seniors
• Financial assistance for bills, including information on grant programs
• Health care, including medicaid, long term care and other insurance programs

Low cost or free daycare and child care

Community Ridge Daycare (828-322-1632) offers affordable daycare to low income and other struggling families. They can also direct people to other childcare type programs.