Toe River Project Access

11/10/2025

Please share the flyer. If you or someone you know needs a vehicle, there is help available if you meet the criteria.

11/10/2025

🌟 Avery County ACA Marketplace Health Insurance Open Enrollment Event 🌟
Need help signing up for health insurance? Get FREE, unbiased assistance exploring your health coverage options, applying for coverage, and choosing a plan that fits your needs!
📅 Monday, Dec. 8th
🕘 9am – 1pm
📍 Avery Health Department, 545 Schultz Circle, Newland, NC 28657
WALK-INS Welcome!
Your local Community Health Worker and Navigator, Pahola Cruz, will be available to help you every step of the way.
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💻 Open Enrollment for 2026 coverage runs Nov. 1 – Jan. 15
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📞 Book an appointment: 828-767-5205
📍 Toe River Health – Avery Health Dept

11/09/2025

11/09/2025

SNAP Numbers Show How Many Neighbors Need Our Help
In Mitchell County, about 2,279 people rely on SNAP benefits.

In Yancey County, around 2,501 people need that same help.

In Avery County, about 1,898 people depend on it too.

These aren’t just numbers — they’re our friends, families, and neighbors.

Right now, folks across Mitchell, Yancey, and Avery counties are stepping up — sharing food, volunteering, helping others. We’re so thankful for every single one of them.

If you’re asking, “How can we help?”

👉 Find a local food-distribution group.
👉 Ask what they need or what you can do to help them.
👉 Even a few items from your pantry can make a real difference.

If you know of local places offering help, please share them in the comments so others can find support too. ❤️

If you work or volunteer at a local food distribution comment where it is and what you need below.

Send a message to learn more

11/07/2025

💙 “I Have a Success Story to Tell”
A local resident who recently moved here from Florida reached out to us, feeling completely overwhelmed. She had gone to the Dept of Social Services office for help with her Medicaid application, but was told she couldn’t qualify because her Medicaid was still active in Florida — and you can’t have both.

She tried calling the Florida DSS office on her own, but the automated phone system was confusing, and when she finally reached a live person… they hung up on her.

When she was referred to Toe River Project Access, she told us, “I just feel hopeless. No one is really helping me figure this out.”

So we called with her — and after a long wait, several transfers, and a lot of patience — we finally reached the right person. Together, we got the documents she needed to show proof that her Florida Medicaid had been canceled.

We also helped her set up an online account so she can manage her North Carolina Medicaid application and upload her documents to show proof of residency in NC without having to call or visit DSS in person.

Important Tip: When you move to another state, it’s crucial to contact your local healthcare insurance carrier and let them know of any changes — like your address, income, or other personal information — and make sure you have the documents to show proof of these changes to avoid delays or gaps in coverage.

💙 As Community Health Workers, we love to take the burden off someone else and be there to help them along the way.

If you or someone you know needs help with Medicaid or healthcare coverage, Toe River Project Access is here to help.

📞 828-696-6428 (English)
📞 828-767-5205 (Spanish)

Call now to connect with business.

11/05/2025

💙 Finding Hope After a Stroke
A single mother recently suffered a stroke and was overwhelmed. She had no health insurance and couldn’t afford her medications or doctor visits. For years, she put her adult disabled son first, always making sure he had what he needed—even if it meant letting her own healthcare go.

She had initially tried the ACA Marketplace, but when she had to show proof of income, she had no documentation and was kicked off the Marketplace. Her employer does not provide 1099 or W-2 forms because her income is considered a stipend, which allows her to care for her son at home—avoiding the higher cost of institutional care.

While brainstorming ways to help, I decided to call her employer. We got on a 3-way call together and confirmed her stipend. Since she doesn’t file taxes—she is tax-exempt—she didn’t qualify for Marketplace coverage.

I then helped her apply for and enroll in Adult Medicaid, and the good news? She qualified!

✨ Her story is a reminder that even in tough times, there’s help, and there’s hope—sometimes you go the extra mile or hour, but it's worth it!

📞 If you or someone you know needs help, call Toe River Project Access:

English: 828-696-6428
Spanish: 828-767-5205

Call now to connect with business.

11/05/2025

📣 Toe River Project Access is at RHA in Burnsville TODAY!
Stop by RHA Health Services (72 Blue Ridge Lane, Burnsville, NC) from 9 AM – 12 PM to get FREE and unbiased help with ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment — happening Nov. 1st through Dec. 15th for January 2026 coverage.

✅ Stop by and enroll in person — you can even do a little “window shopping” to see what tax credits or savings you may qualify for!

Let’s make sure you’re covered for 2026! 💙

11/04/2025

📣 Toe River Project Access is at Shepherd’s Staff TODAY!
Stop by Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry (10992 NC-226 Hwy, Spruce Pine, NC) from 9 AM – 12 PM for FREE and unbiased help with ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment — happening Nov. 1st through Dec. 15th for January 2026 coverage.

✅ Sign up for a call-back appointment while you’re there — you can even do a little “window shopping” to see what tax credits or savings you may qualify for!

🛒 And don’t forget to pick up FREE bread, milk, eggs, ground beef, and canned goods while you visit!

Let’s make sure you’re covered for 2026! 💙

10/31/2025

🎃 Join Us for Trick-or-Treat on Main Street!
Tonight from 4–6:30 PM on the Burnsville Town Square, stop by, bring your phones, and take family pictures at our Photo Booth for some spooky fun and sweet treats! 👻

🎃👻 Trick-or-Treat on Main Street!
Toe River Project Access, a CareReach program, will be out on the Burnsville Town Square for a spooktacular evening of fun — come join us!

🍬 Free candy
🌭 Free food
🛍️ Vendors & community resources
🎉 Lots of fun for the whole family!

💙 Toe River Project Access, part of the NC Navigator Consortium, will also be there to help schedule ACA Marketplace Health Insurance appointments on the spot during
Open Enrollment: Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026.
We are not insurance agents — we provide free, unbiased services to the community.)

📍 Burnsville Town Square
📅 Friday, Oct 31, 2025
🕓 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

👻 Come in costume, bring the kids, and enjoy a spooktacular evening with your community! 🎃

10/30/2025

💛 Employer Insurance Too Pricey? Here’s a Solution!
A neighbor of ours was worried—her employer offered health insurance for $280/month, including vision and dental, but that was still a lot for her budget. She wasn’t sure what to do… so she called Toe River Project Access for assistance.

We helped her explore the ACA Marketplace. Because her employer’s plan cost more than 9.96% of her income, the ACA says it’s “not affordable”, meaning she could get financial help through the Marketplace.

💡 Here’s how you can check for yourself:

Take your household income (all people in your household applying).

Multiply it by 0.0996 (9.96%) → this is the max monthly amount an ACA plan must cost to be considered affordable.

If your employer plan costs more than this, you may qualify for Marketplace subsidies.

The result for our neighbor?

✅ She didn’t have to take the expensive employer plan
✅ She qualified for premium tax credits
✅ She saved hundreds of dollars each month

Health insurance should help, not hold you back. Check your options every year—plans and eligibility can change.

💬 Toe River Project Access can meet in person, by phone, or over Zoom. Spanish: 828-767-5205 | English: 828-606-6428

10/30/2025

🌟 ACA Marketplace Updates for 2026 – What You Need to Know!
Starting next year, Marketplace health plans are changing:

💰 Premiums may increase – Some plans will cost more due to rising healthcare costs.
💳 Tax credits may change – Extra help that lowers your premiums could go away.
🏥 New HSA options – Some Bronze and Catastrophic plans let you save money tax-free for medical expenses.
📈 Higher out-of-pocket limits – Max you could pay in a year is around $10,600 per person.

✅ How to qualify:

Live in the U.S.

Be a U.S. citizen or have legal permission to be here

Not have other coverage like Medicaid, Medicare, or some employer insurance

Household income determines how much help you get. Check the chart below to see if your income falls within this range. The higher your income, the lower your tax credits could be.

🧐 Why check your plan each year:

Even if you had the same plan last year, things can change:

Prices can go up 💰

Your old plan may no longer be in the Marketplace 🏪

Subsidies may go up or down 💳

New options like HSAs or lower out-of-pocket costs could save you money 🏥

🗓 Open Enrollment starts Nov 1, 2025 – check your plan options early! We are booking up FAST!

✅ Toe River Project Access can help for free – we can meet in person, by Zoom, or by phone to review your plan and make sure it’s the best fit.
📞 English: 828-606-6428
📞 Spanish-speaking services: 828-767-5205

💡 Tip: Reviewing your plan every year ensures it’s the best fit for your family and helps you save money.

10/30/2025

🌟ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment Event!
📅 Wednesday, November 19, 2025
🕙 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Yancey County Health Department
202 Medical Campus Drive, Burnsville, NC 28714
Toe River Project Access will be onsite navigating and assisting with ACA Marketplace enrollments. Spanish speaking service available
💙 Free and unbiased service — not an insurance agent!
✅ Book your appointment or walk in!
📞 Call 828-767-5205
💰 You may qualify for tax credits or lower monthly premiums — come see what you’re eligible for!
📋 What to Bring:
Social Security numbers (for all household members)
Date of birth (for all applying)
Income information (pay stubs, W-2s, or tax return)
Email address