The New Jersey Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF) grants provide financial assistance to families with costly medical bills associated with their child’s illness that are not covered by health insurance. Nearly 170 families received more than $3.4 million in grants for the first half of the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget.

Today, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno today joined with families who received grants to encourage other deserving families to access the fund's resources. CICRF was established in 1988 and has distributed more than $132 million in grants to 5,484 families. In Fiscal Year 2011, nearly $5.5 million was distributed to deserving families. Families with children who have uncovered medical expenses apply for grants to reimburse specific, documented, medically-related costs. Applications are investigated, authenticated and reviewed by the Fund’s Commission for grant disbursement.

“We appreciate the help we received through the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund,” said Bruce Notte, whose family received a grant for the purchase of a modified vehicle for their son Anthony. “The grant we received helped Anthony become more mobile and involved in our community.”

"I’ve always worked to give my daughter a ‘normal’ life, despite her disabilities,” said Christina Cerza, whose family received a grant through the fund for home modifications to accommodate her daughter Carly’s wheelchair. “The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund has given her a new level of independence, a greater quality of life.”

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