Critical Access Resource Equity Subsidy (CARES)
Our CARES program provides up to one month of free milk for babies who medically require it, when their families have a documented financial need as well. This program is for babies with severe medical need, as evidenced by a physician.
Most of these infants are newborns with one or more of the following health conditions:
- abdominal wall defects
- hypoglycemia
- congenital heart disease
- organ transplantation
- necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
CARES applications are reviewed internally, with support from our Medical Director. Members of our Medical Advisory Committee may assist if questions arise.
This program provides up to 4 weeks of milk (typically ten 100ml bottles per week) for babies who qualify.
If your baby meets the medical requirements above, families may qualify if:
- You participant in WIC or SNAP
- You have Medicaid or state-sponsored insurance
- You live in subsidized housing
- You receive some other kind of public assistance
- You are experiencing an unexpected and/or urgent financial burden
How to apply
To apply for assistance fill out a CARES Program application. You can download it here:
Or request one by emailing us or calling 617-527-6263 x5 and requesting CARES. The application requires:
- Your contact information
- A personal statement about your baby’s situation
- Financial documentation
- A request form for PDHM from your baby’s doctor
- A letter of medical necessity from your baby’s doctor
Growing Infants for Tomorrow (GIFT) Program
We have an additional shorter-term subsidy offered in some hospitals called the Growing Infants for Tomorrow (GIFT) Program. This is offered through our Donor Milk to Go program at participating hospitals, a program enabling families who want to breastfeed and who require a temporary supplement as their own milk their supply is beginning to develop. Benefitting longterm breast-feeding goals, the use of donor milk rather than formula supports families who want their newborn to exclusively ingest human milk.
Allowing families up to 10 bottles of milk to take home when discharged from participating hospitals, the GIFT program is for families who receive income based public benefits. Not sure if the hospital you are delivering at offers this program? We are happy to help. Ready to inquire? Call 617-340-3497.
Prioritized for medically fragile babies donor milk supply is never assured for the well-baby and outpatient population. Provided by our nonprofit, subsidies may be limited.
