How is a practical support organization different from an abortion fund?

Each organization has a different process to apply for and receive assistance. Sometimes you can directly apply for assistance from an organization. Other times, an organization may ask that you apply for assistance through your provider. Check the organization’s website for the specifics of how to apply for assistance. **Here is how the process of directly applying for assistance from an organization typically works:** **1. Contact the organization.** Depending on the organization, you may need to provide some key information by doing one of the following: - Calling a phone number - Texting a phone number - Sending an email - Filling out and submitting an online form Each organization will ask you to provide different information to apply for assistance. Here are some of the most common pieces of information they may ask you to provide: - Your pregnancy stage - Your total household income - The number of people in your household - The state you’re located in - The name of the health center or provider where you’ll have your abortion appointment - The state where your health center or provider is located - The date of your abortion appointment - The cost of your abortion - Other needs (like support with travel or childcare) you may have **2. Receive a response from the organization.** Once an organization has received your information, they’ll review it to see if you’re eligible to get support from them. Most organizations will contact you within 72 hours to let you know if you’re eligible for assistance and what assistance you’re eligible to get. **3. Get assistance (if you’re eligible).** If you’re eligible, the organization will give you a “pledge” of assistance that will give you the details about what they are able to provide. The exact way you’ll get assistance from an organization depends on what kind of assistance you’re getting and on the process the organization uses. You’ll most likely need to follow up with the organization one or more times to finish the process of getting assistance.

Yes, many people get support from more than one organization. If you need to, you can apply for and get assistance from more than one organization. It is important to note that to get assistance from more than one organization, you must: - Meet each organization’s requirements for eligibility; - Go through each organization’s process of applying for and receiving assistance.

One type of state law that could affect your abortion has to do with how far along in pregnancy abortion is allowed in your state. (How far along you are in pregnancy is calculated based on the first day of your last period. We’ll figure it out for you—[just give us the first day of your last period.](/)) For example, some states might allow abortions through 14 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. Other states might allow them through 20 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. Still others don’t have any specific limits on how far along in pregnancy you can get an abortion. Some states ban abortion completely. In addition to these state limits, individual abortion providers decide how far into pregnancy they want to offer abortion, so just because your state doesn’t ban abortion until 22 weeks doesn’t mean every abortion provider will offer abortions through 22 weeks. It’s legal for you to travel to another state to get an abortion, so if providers aren’t available in your state or if you’re past your state’s pregnancy stage limit, we’ll help you figure out where it will be possible for you to get an abortion.