Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND (en español)

Last updated on March 12, 2018  by Matthew G. Kamine. (Please consider sending us a contribution at our office address specifically to help cover the administrative costs of updating this database – click here)

Please note that the information given here is intended as a general guideline. Please look into the specifics in your state to determine definitely if you qualify for one of the benefits listed here.  Your living organ donor coordinator may be a good resource for such information.

Most benefits are available in the state where you live, but also check for potential benefits in the state where you are donating if you are donating outside the state where you live.

Please discuss with your organ recipient options that may be available through his or her insurance.  Some private insurance companies offer transplant recipients travel and lodging benefits but do not care if recipients use that benefit themselves, or for a companion caregiver, or a donor.

There is one Federal program that provides money for travel and subsistence living for donors whose recipients can demonstrate need, please go to http://www.livingdonorassistance.org for more details.

All Federal Employees are eligible to take up to 30 days a year of paid leave for donating organs or seven days of paid leave for donating bone marrow. 5 U.S.C. § 6327.

Rhode Island has the Parental and Family Medical Leave Act. The Act provides up to 13 weeks in 2 years of leave for parental leave or serious illness. It applies to both state and private employees. Anyone who has worked at their company  for a least 1 year and worked at least 30 hours per week is eligible.

http://www.dlt.ri.gov/ls/pdfs/MedicalLeave_rr02.pdf

Rhode Island also has the Temporary Caregiver Insurance Program, which provides up to 4 weeks of paid leave for childcare or to take care of sick family members.

http://www.dlt.ri.gov/tdi/

Please note that the above paid family leave laws do not specifically mention living organ donors but may apply in
your situation. Please check with your employer / HR department.

Rhode Island allows organ donors to deduct put to $10,000 from their state income taxes for travel, lodging, and lost wages related to organ or bone marrow donation. R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-30-12(c)(7).

For statutory or legislative updates, see http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/search/search.asp?SearchWhere=/Statutes/.  Executive orders are available at http://www.governor.ri.gov/documents/orders/.

If you work for a private company, check with your employer about the possibility of employer sponsored donation related paid leave.

Check with the living organ donor coordinator and/or transplant social worker at the transplant center where you plan to donate for more information about local organizations that support living donors.

 

Private non-government groups

(Many of these groups are set up to help transplant recipients but will also help organ donors)

The Rhode Island Hospital Transplant Peer Support Group involves a variety of members ranging from transplant recipients to healthcare professionals. Their main mission is to increase organ donation through a variety of different methods.

The “Other Living Donor Support Organizations” button on the right hand side of our home page lists some national organizations that may be of financial assistance.

Potential Sources for Local Non-Financial Assistance

These are organizations that have volunteer programs that help the elderly or disabled, but would probably also help recovering living organ donors if the situation is explained to them. It will take some discussion for them to even understand what living organ donation is and why donors need post-donation help, but once a relationship is established, you will have opened the door for other donors also to get help. The services offered vary, anything from running errands, rides to doctor’s appointments, and light yard work or housekeeping. Check with each organization individually to see if their volunteer services might be of assistance to you during your recovery after donation surgery.