Federal and State Programs
There are a number of federal and state programs that provide financial benefits to individuals and families. These benefits, known as entitlements, are primarily set up for low-income households, the elderly, and the disabled. Each entitlement has eligibility requirements. There are also programs administered through state governments that can help with healthcare-related needs. Government assistance programs include:
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
The ACF is a division of the Department of Health & Human Services. They promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities. The grants available through ACF vary over time.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov (formerly GovBenefits.gov) is the official benefits website of the U.S. Government. The website is designed to help users find government benefit and assistance programs for which they may be eligible. The Benefit Finder on the website has a list of Core Questions to identify which government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Eldercare Locator
A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging and helps older adults and their families access home and community-based services, including transportation, meals, home care, and caregiver support services. The goal is to provide users with the information and resources they need to live independently and safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8): Local public housing agencies provide low-income families with rent subsidies paid directly to the landlord. Find your public housing agency here: www.hud.gov/program_offices/ public_indian_housing/pha/contacts
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Social Security provides a monthly income for eligible retired persons, surviving spouses and family members, and the disabled. Information on eligibility, coverage, and how to apply for benefits and file a claim is available from SSA.
The SSA has a new Compassionate Allowances initiative that allows Social Security to target the most obviously disabled individuals for allowances based on objective medical information that can be obtained quickly.
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
If you cannot work, find out if your employer has a long-term disability insurance policy before you leave your job. This type of policy often replaces 60% to 70% of your income. Read your policy closely. Find out the definition of disabled according to your policy, the monthly benefit amount, the benefit period, the waiting period, and whether you must pay taxes on the money you get. Some companies also have a short-term disability option that can help replace income during part or all of the waiting period of the long-term disability policy.
You must meet Social Security’s definition of disability which is very strict. If you get turned down, appeal the decision. Some cases that are turned down the first time get approved after an appeal. When approved, benefits do not begin until the sixth full month of disability.
With certain serious illnesses, it may take less time to be approved. The Social Security Administration can speed up their processing of disability applications for people with a diagnosis that is on their Compassionate Allowances list. Check out their list online.
Your income has nothing to do with whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Income. To find out how to apply, contact the local Social Security Administration.
After getting SSDI for 24 months, you become eligible for Medicare.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP)
Resource for health insurance questions — particularly Medicare and Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI supplements Social Security payments for aged, blind, and disabled people with little or no income. To get SSI, your income and assets must fall below a certain level and you must be disabled, over 65, and/or blind. If you do qualify, SSI pays you a monthly income which varies from state to state and from year to year. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
Children can qualify for SSI if they meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Income criteria are checked by the local Social Security Administration office. Disability evaluation specialists at the state Social Security office decide whether you are disabled. Children with certain cancer diagnoses are considered disabled.
In many states, Medicaid is given to any adult or child who gets SSI but you may need to apply for it separately. You can get more information about SSI from your team social worker or you can get it from the nearest Social Security Administration office.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): TANF provides low-income families with financial help to pay food, housing, clothing, utilities, transportation, and more. For details: www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/map/about/help- families
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Information on public assistance and food stamps
Utilities: Contact your utilities to see if they have assistance programs for low-income individuals and families.
211
Call 2-1-1 from your phone.
This service provides local information about social service programs.
When you call 2-1-1, you will be connected with resources for basic human needs, such as help with food, clothing, rent, and utilities (e.g., gas, water, electricity, etc.); transportation to medical appointments; family support, such as childcare, after-school programs, tutoring, and more.
2-1-1 is available 24/7 in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, but not in every city. Find your local area here:
www.211.org/about-us/your-local-211
Other Organizations …
Actors Fund
Provides financial assistance for all professionals in entertainment and performing arts.
The Actors Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need or going through a crisis or transition. It offers several services, including help attaining affordable housing and health insurance, financial assistance for people in a medical crisis or those disabled by illness, case management, referrals, support groups and funeral/burial assistance.
The Actors Fund is administered in offices in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Adam’s Angel’s Ministries
Assists families touched by cancer with help for living expenses, meals, transportation, and parking fees.
AgingCare
Connects families with in-home care, assisted living, and caregiver support.
Allyson Whitney Foundation, Inc
[email protected]
[email protected]
Provides young adult cancer patients with ‘Life Interrupted Grants™’ from $500-1,500 to ease their financial burden so that they can concentrate their energy on healing. U.S. citizens between the ages of 16 and 36 years of age who are currently undergoing treatment or recently finished protocol are eligible. Grants help cover unanticipated expenses including medical bills, utilities, car/health insurance premium, IVF treatments, travel and transportation, hotels, rent, medical expenses, fertility options, integrative therapies, and wigs for young adults with cancer.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
We are on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we will be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention.
Community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
- Provides educational materials both online and in print about cancer as well as related information on topics such as diet, exercise, complementary and alternative medicine, and disease statistics
- Offers support services via online discussion boards and in-person support groups through local chapters
- Cancer Survivors NetworkSM, a global online community, transcends geographic boundaries and builds bonds among cancer survivors and caregivers through shared experiences and feelings.
- Road to Recovery, a program offered locally by some chapters, has volunteer drivers who transport patients to and from treatment appointments.
- Look Good, Feel Better program for female adults and teens helps with self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
- Hope Lodges are temporary housing accommodations for patients traveling far from home for treatment. There are more than 30 lodges.
- American Cancer Society’s Wig Bank provides free wigs to patients suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment.
American Life Fund
This company specializes in helping late-stage cancer patients obtain cash for their life insurance policies. This isn’t a charity, but it has extensive experience working with clients whose policies can be cashed out.
Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation
Offers an unrestricted annual cash award to young persons who have survived a life-threatening illness. Our mission for the past 22 years has been, and remains to provide assistance for single parents of critically or terminally ill children who face financial crisis.
During this critical time, our aim is to help those single parents who are afflicted by Covid-19.
Andrew McDonough Be Positive (B+) Foundation
Provides financial assistance, funds cancer research, and helps spread positivity. Funds for phone, utilities, car payment, car insurance and rent are considered. Must have hospital social worker involved.
Angel Foundation
[email protected]
Assists adults in active cancer treatment with non-medical expenses living in the seven-county Twin Cities Minnesota metro area.
Angie’s Spa Cancer Foundation
Provides grants to fund FREE (in-hospital) massage services to men and women undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. These therapeutic massages are designed to alleviate painful side effects, provide relaxation to enhance traditional treatments, and give cancer patients a self-esteem boost.
Currently, Angie’s Spa funds four hospital programs: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, Northridge Hospital in California, Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and Southampton Hospital in New York.
Angie’s Spa is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is funded entirely through private donations; 100% of donations go directly toward our hospital programs.
Association of Jewish Families and Children’s Agency
Find local agencies that provide social services.
Aunt Bertha
A social care network that connects people and programs—making it easy for people to find social services in their communities, for nonprofits to coordinate their efforts, and for customers to integrate social care into the work they already do.
The interactive map illustrates comprehensive coverage of social care programs in every United States county, including state and national programs. Select any county to view the breakdown of program categories (such as housing and financial assistance) and use the map filter to select interactive geographic areas.
The open access search (findhelp.org) is free, open to the public, and easy to use. After searching by ZIP code, findhelp lists several options in the community that can help patients with prescription assistance, transportation for healthcare, and more.
Bankrate.com
Provides cancer patients and their families excellent information on how to effectively assess their financial situation … an income and insurance evaluation, assessment of treatment costs, calculating monthly expenses … and how to manage housing costs, mortgage payments and insurance, refinancing mortgages, paying for home modifications, bill and utility assistance, downsizing your home.
BenefitsCheckUp
Developed and maintained by The National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp is the nation’s most comprehensive web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. More than 2,000 public and private benefits for people over age 55 such as prescription drugs, financial assistance, legal assistance, health care, and more. The website also includes other questionnaires that search for programs to help with rent, food, housing, property taxes, and other needs. Resource includes programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. By answering questions about where you live, your income and medicines, this service can find assistance programs that might work for you.
There are over 2,500 federal, state, and private benefits programs available to help. After reviewing initial results, patients can enter more details to personalize their report. They will receive a customized report listing the benefits they are most likely to qualify for. Patients can start enrolling in programs right away.
BenefitsCheckUp can help patients with the following types of expenses:
• Medication
• Food
• Utilities
• Healthcare
• Housing
• Income Assistance
• Tax relief
• Transportation
• Employment
Breast Cancer Angels
[email protected]
Provides financial assistance (rental, utilities, medical co-pays, transportation, hospice, final expenses, school supplies, clothing, and food) to individuals undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Individuals must reside in certain counties of California.
Breast Cancer Assistance Fund
Provides financial assistance for non-medical costs of getting a patient to treatment and other living expenses that may be incurred.
Breast Cancer Charities of America
[email protected]
The Help Now Fund provides assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, cell phone, and car payments to breast cancer patients currently undergoing treatment
Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund
The Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund (BMCF) supports patients ages 18-40 as they undergo cancer treatment.It provides services to meet daily needs that are not covered by insurance. Typical grants cover $500 worth of medical co-payments, rent and mortgage, transportation, car insurance, repairs, and groceries.
Since Brenda founded it in 2001, the Fund has provided $280,888 in services for 406 young adults across 30 different states. She built it for young adults her age to maintain self-respect during months of treatment and minimize the stress of associated financial challenges. Even though she is no longer with us, we are working to fulfill Brenda’s vision of a nationwide support organization that helps young adults fight – and beat – the disease.
Bringing Hope Home
Offers to pay household bills such as rent, mortgage, electric, gas, oil, water, phone, transportation, and groceries for cancer patients. Currently only serving in certain counties in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Cameron Siemers Foundation For Hope
Hi, I’m Cameron Siemers and I’m not supposed to be here. In 1984, when I was 2 years old, I received a blood transfusion. At age 7, I was diagnosed with HIV and doctors told me I wouldn’t live past 10. That was in 1992. It hasn’t been easy, but through my experience, I identified a need for an organization to support young people with life-threatening illnesses as they transition into adulthood. With the help of my team, I established the Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope. We invite you to learn more about the Foundation’s Life Grant™ program, read our latest news, and make dreams a reality.
Cancer and Careers
Cancer and Careers empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their workplace by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events. The program offers a comprehensive website (in English and Spanish), free publications (in English and Spanish), career coaching, and a series of support groups and educational seminars for employees with cancer and their healthcare providers.
As the definitive national authority on work and cancer, Cancer and Careers empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in the workplace. Our innovative programs for survivors and healthcare professionals provide the vital support, tools, and information they need to navigate the practical and legal challenges that follow a diagnosis. Online, in print and in person, Cancer and Careers helps more than 525,000 individuals each year across all 50 states.
Cancer and Careers continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 to ensure our community has access to critical support, information and learning opportunities. https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/covid19
As the only non-profit focused on the intersection of work and cancer, we are positioned to provide in-depth insight during a time when working, and especially looking for work, is a little more complex. While many of our programs and services have always been virtual, we have expanded our offerings to include newly developed initiatives that are unique and relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CancerCare
[email protected]
CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer. Its comprehensive services include case management, counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications, and financial and co-payment assistance.
All CancerCare services are provided by Master’s-prepared social workers and world-leading cancer experts. It offers limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs and co-pays, and its oncology social workers can help patients find additional resources. If applying for financial assistance, all correspondence must be done electronically through email or fax. CancerCare does not have access to process any incoming or outgoing mail. As a non-profit organization, funding depends on the sources of support CancerCare receives at any given time. If CancerCare does not currently have funding to assist a patient, professional oncology social workers will always work to refer patients to other financial assistance resources.
CancerCare Financial Assistance Program
Offers limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs such as transportation, home care and childcare, and oncology social workers can help find additional resources. Also provides co-payment assistance through the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation. Offers free wig and prosthesis clinics in our New York, NY office, and free wigs by appointment in our Norwalk, CT, Ridgewood, NJ and Long Island, NY offices. Can assist people with breast cancer with pain and anti-nausea medication, oral hormonal medication, lymphedema supplies and durable medical equipment.
A coalition of organizations that help cancer patients manage their financial challenges by educating them about existing resources. Patients or health care providers can search the CFAC database for organizations that help with specific cancer diagnoses or that provide a specific type of assistance or need. Patients may contact each CFAC member organization individually for guidance and possible financial assistance.
Co-payment assistance for chemotherapy and targeted therapy drugs might also be available from CancerCare. Contact the CancerCare Co-payment Assistance Foundation (1-866-552-6729)
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
Resource directory to help cancer patients and their families manage their financial challenges.
Candlelighter’s Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Provides reimbursement for parking fees, grocery gift cards, gas certificates, meal passes, and funeral assistance.
Can Do Cancer
Offers dinner, cleaning services, informational, motivational support for breast cancer patients undergoing treatments in the Des Moines and surrounding areas
Catholic Charities USA
A national network of agencies serving poor and vulnerable persons and families, regardless of faith. There are member agencies in nearly every state and in many U.S. territories which offer services based on the needs of the local community. Examples of services include food banks, soup kitchens, home delivered meals, temporary shelter, transitional housing, health-related services, immigration and refugee services and counseling and mental health.
Charles Thide Foundation
The Charles Thide Foundation was created out of love and respect through the inspiration of Charles Thide’s co-workers and the support of his friends and family. Since its inception in 2005, the foundation has provided grants to over 633 individuals and families experiencing difficult times due to the effects of cancer. Donations are also provided for research.
Chronic Disease Fund, Inc.
Provides financial assistance to underinsured patients diagnosed with chronic or life-altering disease that requires the use of specialty therapeutics, including assistance for many types of cancer.
Cleaning for a Reason Foundation
Offers free professional housecleaning and maid services for men and women undergoing cancer treatment. The Foundation recruits professional residential maid services that are insured and/or bonded and performs background checks on their employees.
Maid service partners are located in all 50 states, D.C., and Canada. The companies offer four free cleanings – once a month for four months. The Foundation accepts cancer patient applications online, obtains doctor verification of treatment, and then matches patients with their partner maid services. Interested applicants should see if a maid service partner is available in their area by clicking on the “Locations” tab on the Foundation’s website.
Compassion Can’t Wait
[email protected]
Provides financial assistance for everyday needs: food, utilities, and housing so that parents/guardians may be able to stay by child’s side.
Culinary Care
Culinary Care is a nonprofit organization bringing the nourishment of a meal, care, and joy to cancer patients and their families. When fighting cancer, the act of feeding ourselves and our families often becomes a burdensome stressor due to loss of appetite, exhaustion, and changing taste buds. As a result, cancer patients struggle to get the nourishment they need to survive. In fact, 125,000 cancer deaths each year are a direct consequence of malnutrition.
Our solution is simple: provide free meals prepared by local restaurants that are delivered with compassion by a community that cares. To us, it’s all about taking one thing off their plate by simply putting something delicious on it.
Families Forward
[email protected]
Offers assistance to Orange County families going through hardships through case management, food, counseling, career coaching, and short-term rental subsidies.
Family Reach
Helps with expenses such mortgage or rent, utilities, auto-related expenses (e.g., repairs, loans, and insurance payments), child care, treatment-related travel, hospital parking, prescription medications, other ancillary uncovered medical costs, etc. To qualify, you must be represented by a social worker who acts as a liaison with Family Reach Foundation.
We know there is a lot to think about when it comes to cancer, and we want to make the financial side as easy to manage as possible. Financial problems impact up to 73% of cancer patients from all walks of life, and there is no need to feel ashamed. You’re not alone – and our wide variety of services are here to help you.
Family Reach is a national 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to eradicating the financial barriers that accompany a cancer diagnosis. We work with patients and healthcare professionals at more than 400 top-tier hospitals and cancer centers, striving to reach more families before they hit critical financial breaking points. Through our solutions-oriented Financial Treatment Program, nationwide events, strategic partnerships, and generous community support, we disrupt how cancer financially affects families.
Our team will match you with the most meaningful resources for your financial circumstances. This will include arming you with knowledge on the financial journey ahead and creating a customized financial roadmap.
The Financial Treatment Program offers support services to help you overcome the financial side effects of your cancer diagnosis. It is never too soon to apply – we believe financial treatment should start as soon as your cancer treatment does.
While one of our Resource Navigators reviews your Financial Treatment Program application, you can start learning about the financial side effects of cancer and how you can manage them.
You will receive a free digital copy of our Financial Guidebook in your confirmation email. We wanted it to be as useful as possible, so we got a thumbs up from other patients and caregivers before sharing it with you. The Guidebook includes:
- Costs and saving options to consider
- Easy action steps to follow
- Checklists for estimating your personal costs
- Advice from patients and caregivers
- List of vetted financial resources
Feeding America
When families struggle to get enough to eat, they are often struggling to meet other basic needs as well — including housing, employment, healthcare and more. Feeding America helps provide meals to people in need through a network of food banks and helps address root causes of hunger.
Fifth Season Financial
Since 2007, Fifth Season Financial has offered a viable solution to combat the financial strain for those living with cancer and other advanced-stage illnesses. Their Funds for Living and Giving (FLAG) program utilizes an asset often-overlooked – their life insurance policy.
Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation
The Foundation has an award limit of $2,000 per applicant per calendar year for current Florida residents actively undergoing cancer treatment in Florida or within 90 days of final treatment date. There are specific financial requirements. Since inception, the Foundation as assisted patients with almost $8 million in grants. The types of bills that can be paid include:
Food & Friends
Provides free meal delivery and nutritional counseling services to cancer patients near Washington D.C., including areas of Maryland and Virginia.
FundFinder App
A new web-based app designed to help you quickly learn when financial assistance is available for a life-threatening, chronic or rare disease at PAN Foundation and other charitable foundations.
Gift of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation
Offers financial support (electricity, gas, phone, and groceries) to women in need during the course of their treatment.
Healthwell Foundation
Provides financial assistance to adults and children to cover co-insurance, co-payments, health care premiums and deductibles for certain medications and therapies. If a person is eligible for health insurance, but cannot afford the insurance premium, they may be able to assist with your insurance premium. Funding varies, so check website for up-to-date list of covered diagnoses and medications.
Heaps of Hope
Provides financial support for women with cancer in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Help Hope Live
Supports community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical expenses and related costs due to cell and organ transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses, including all types of cancer.
As a non-profit organization, we provide one-on-one fundraising help, bill pay support, and tax-deductible donations that won’t impact a patient’s asset-based benefits such as Medicaid or SSI.
Funds that are raised can be used towards travel, temporary relocation, medication, medical equipment, caregiver expenses and more.
Homeownership Preservation Foundation
Helps homeowners avoid mortgage foreclosure. Guides consumers onto the path of sustainable homeownership and develops innovative solutions to preserve and expand homeownership. Provides comprehensive financial education and confidential foreclosure prevention counseling for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Hope for Young Adults
The “Giving Hope Fund” allows young adults currently battling cancer, as well as those who have been in remission for up to 5 years after their treatment, the opportunity to help pay for necessities they encounter in everyday life.
This includes but is not limited to obligations such as rent and mortgage payments, cell phone and credit card bills, clothing, work and educational related materials along with department store and grocery gift cards.
We make payments on all forms of medical bills, healthcare premiums, doctor visits, and prescription co-pays.
Jadyn Fred Foundation
Provides financial support directly to the patient and their families, including motel, food, gas, CAT scans, ultrasounds, etc. not covered by insurance.
Jennifer Ireland Foundation
With a thorough but streamlined application process, we are able to provide quick aid directly to the families in paying those financial obligations that tend to stack up quickly during the toughest of times for families dealing with cancer.
Jill’s Wish Foundation
[email protected]
Offers grants up to $1500 to cover non-medical living expenses for those with newly diagnosed or terminal breast cancer. Currently serving those residing in certain areas of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.
Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF)
Provides grants to assist with rent/mortgage payments, utilities, and other household expenses. This relief allows the Foundation’s grant recipients to focus on their fight against cancer and not on the financial distress that comes with it.
Keep Swimming Foundation
Covers hotel rooms, bedside meals, parking, public transportation, gas, and rent/mortgage payments for families of critically ill patients who require extended inpatient medical care at an accredited USA hospital.
Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund
Pays for critical needs not covered by insurance, including rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, adaptive equipment, and more.
Lazarex Cancer Foundation
Sometimes in a patient’s battle with cancer, they are exposed to a gap in cancer care when they progress to advanced stage and all available treatment options fail them. Most often, despite their desire to continue fighting their disease, hospice is the recommended course of action. For these patients, medical breakthroughs offered through clinical trial participation are an alternative to hospice; however, there are many barriers to participation that seem insurmountable for patients who are emotionally, physically and financially spent.
In 2006, Lazarex Cancer Foundation was created to bridge this gap and remove the barriers. Lazarex is a publicly funded 501(c)(3) charity and has served over 5,000 patients. We are focused on improving the outcome of cancer care for cancer patients and the medically underserved, by identifying FDA approved clinical trial options, providing assistance with ancillary costs for patient clinical trial participation and a travel companion, and facilitating community outreach and engagement.
Clinical trials are the capstone of the drug development process. Patient participation is crucial to the successful completion of a trial. Patient recruitment to clinical trials has historically plagued the research industry; 11% of trials never enroll a single patient, 37% are grossly under-enrolled; delaying the approval of drugs, increasing development costs and most egregiously preventing patients from taking advantage of medical breakthroughs in technology. Only 6% of eligible patients participate in trials and only 5% are racial or ethnic minorities. This negatively affects statistically valid assessment of the safety, efficacy and value of new therapeutic agents for multiple segments of our population.
Lazarex CARE – Daily direct patient advocacy, clinical trial navigation and out-of-pocket clinical trial expense reimbursement program.
IMPACT – IMproving Patient Access to Cancer Clinical Trials – Institutional Comprehensive Cancer Center program to increase clinical trial enrollment, retention, and minority participation in cancer clinical trials and create a sustainable platform for equitable access.
Community IMPACT – (pilot) Community outreach and engagement public health initiative in the poorest neighborhoods of Philadelphia aimed at building a replicable program to improve cancer and overall health outcomes.
Learn Live Love
Provides financial assistance to women and families in local communities across Massachusetts who have been touched by the devastation of cancer. Their vision is inspired by the sincerest belief that shared knowledge is power and shared experience is healing.
Livestrong
The Livestrong guidebook helps cancer survivors and caregivers navigate the physical, emotion, and practical concerns they may have during the cancer journey.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Speak one-on-one with an LLS Information Specialist who can assist you through cancer treatment, financial and social challenges and give accurate, up-to-date disease, treatment and support information. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services for patients in their communities through chapters across the US and Canada.
The Society offers a workbook titled Cancer and Your Finances. This workbook is intended for patients and families who are dealing with the financial aspects of cancer care. It describes health insurance options and coverage, provides worksheets and checklists to help stay organized and understand costs, and includes tips, resources and more. The workbook is free and can be ordered or downloaded.
All of our free information booklets are available at www.LLS.org/booklets.
You may also contact an LLS Information Specialist to order copies:
(800) 955-4572
Email or Live Chat
[email protected]
[email protected]
LLS has two programs ….
The Patient Aid program provides financial assistance to blood cancer patients in active treatment.
The Urgent Need program helps pediatric and young adult blood cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials.This program provides assistance for rent, mortgage, lodging, utilities, childcare, eldercare, food, transportation, car repair, care insurance, phone service and acute dental work.
Live Like Bella
Assists pediatric cancer families with medical co-pays, gas, food, and utilities.
Lois Merrill Foundation
Provides financial assistance to people affected by carcinoid and other rare cancers.
Lolly’s Locks
Founded in 2012 in Bethesda, MD, Lolly’s Locks is dedicated to providing high-quality wigs to cancer patients suffering hair loss.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Assists people with bills related to energy crises, weatherization, and energy-related minor home repairs.
Lymphoma Research Foundation
212-349-2910
LRF’s Patient Aid Grant program provides limited financial assistance to lymphoma patients who are uninsured or who struggle to pay for expenses related to their treatment, such as medical bills, transportation costs, lodging, and childcare.
Magnolia Meals at Home
Provides nourishing meals at no-cost, delivered to households affected by breast or thyroid cancer.
Making Home Affordable Program
Helps eligible homeowners lower their monthly mortgage payments and get into more stable loans. For those homeowners for whom ownership is no longer affordable or desirable, the program can provide a way out which avoids foreclosure.
Mama Ducks Cleaning For Cancer
Serving those in Fargo and the nearby communities with free cleaning services for women diagnosed with cancer.
Meal Train
An online calendar that helps organize and schedule meals for people during an illness.
Meals on Wheels
Operates through a network of more than 5,000 independently-run local programs. Program’s services and operations may vary based on the needs and resources of their communities. They are all committed to supporting their senior neighbors to live healthier and more nourished lives in their own homes.
Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center
Provides grocery gift cards, backpacks/school supplies, Thanksgiving meals, holiday programs for individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment living in certain counties in CA.
Mission4Maureen
Provides assistance by paying bills on behalf of qualified brain tumor patients and their families.
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Offices in many areas can help older people with cancer
Sources of help with telephone service
May be available from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Speak with the eligibility worker in your county social services department for more information. Families that have problems controlling charges may want to think about buying pre-paid calling cards, pre-paid cell phones, or plans with pre-paid minutes. If you call your cell phone carrier before you go over your limit, sometimes they can help you avoid going over your minutes limit for the month.
The American Cancer Society can find out about other local sources of help with telephone service.
Sources of help with food and food costs
The government programs listed below are run by the US Department of Agriculture.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly called the Food Stamp Program)
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
National School Lunch Program
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
School Breakfast Program
Special Milk Program
Team Nutrition
National Cancer Assistance Foundation
Assists patients and their families by paying for everyday living expenses like rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, lodging while at treatment, and childcare costs.
National Children’s Cancer Society
The NCCS’s Emergency Assistance Fund provides $300 per year to families who have a child that has been in-patient or away from home for 30 consecutive days within the past three months. Assistance may be used for mortgage, rent, utility payments, childcare, health insurance premiums, car expenses or treatment-related expenses such as meals away from home, prescriptions, and parking.
New Day
New Day, a leader in the cancer support community, is dedicated to creating a world where no family faces the financial and emotional burden of cancer alone.
In partnership with hospitals/cancer centers in Michigan that apply for assistance on behalf of cancer patients in active treatment, New Day customizes a financial treatment plan to help families alleviate financial toxicity, a harmful side effect that creates significant barriers to treatment and healing.
The formula that causes financial toxicity is simple: Loss of Income + Increased Expenses + Emotional Distress. Regardless of socio-economic status, financial toxicity can lead to crippling debt, bankruptcy and disruption to medical treatment, resulting in poor quality of life and reduced chance of overall survival.
We believe families come first. Their needs and survival are our priority. No family should fight cancer alone or make unthinkable choices between medical treatment and providing basic necessities. Financial toxicity reaches beyond the high cost of cancer care, directly impacting the life expectancy of cancer patients.
New Day provides vital resources to bridge the financial gap, giving profound hope and proper focus in the fight against cancer. Our mission to alleviate the financial burden of cancer is the formula for hope: Financial Assistance + Financial Navigation + Emotional Support.
Financial Assistance: We pay critical living expenses on behalf of families with a family member in active treatment. Payments are made directly to creditors for mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, transportation, grocery, fuel, childcare and more.
Financial Navigation: Our financial navigator uses a cutting-edge technology platform to predict financial burden in the early stages of a diagnosis to help optimize insurance plans and minimize out-of-pocket costs for medical care and prescriptions.
Emotional Support: In collaboration with a network of professional counselors, financial planners, service providers and nonprofit organizations, New Day works to lift the emotional burden of cancer. We also distribute hundreds of custom Care Packs with age-appropriate resources and comfort items.
Nicki Leach Foundation
Primary mission is to honor Nicki’s request “to find a way to help young adults who have cancer.” Nicki lost her life to cancer at 19.
The National Cancer Institute identifies young adults (AYA) as someone diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-39. “About 70,000 adolescents and young adults receive an unexpected cancer diagnosis every year.”
Our mission is to raise financial support for research leading to new discoveries and treatments for young adults cancers. We would also like to continue our annual educational grant award to one young adult per year if we have enough funding. Thank you for supporting our mission so that we can continue our efforts to find new treatments leading to cures for AYA cancers.
Oral Cancer Foundation
Grants financial aid directly to patients who have or had head and neck cancer (HNC).
Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN)
Provides trained case managers that patients or their advocates may speak with about their care.
An independent, national non-profit organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases with their out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Provides professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life-threatening, and debilitating illnesses. Case managers on staff serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer, and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention, and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis, also assisted by doctors and healthcare attorneys. This organization seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment, and preservation of their financial stability.
Maintains a searchable National Financial Assistance Resource Directory.
Offers co-payment assistance – check website for up-to-date list of covered diagnoses and medications.
Provides a Scholarships for Survivors Program.
Financial Aid Fund Division offers three programs that provide direct financial assistance for transportation expenses to cancer patients,
Transportation Financial Aid Fund for Metastatic Melanoma & Metastatic Lung Cancer Patients. Supporting patients currently receiving IV-infused treatment for metastatic melanoma or metastatic lung cancer, this financial fund grants $300 per year to cover transportation-related expenses connected to treatment appointments.
Financial Aid Program for Merkel Cell Carcinoma patients provides a one-time grant to be used for transportation expenses. The grant is $450 and the patient must be at 400% of the FPL with a physician verified diagnosis in order to qualify.
Patient Services, Inc. (PSI)
We provide financial support and guidance for qualified patients with specific, rare chronic diseases. Through PSI assistance programs patients and their families rediscover hope and health.
Committed to supporting people with expensive chronic illnesses and conditions through locating solutions with health insurance and assisting with premiums and prescription copayments to facilitate positive health and well-being. Check website for up-to-date list of covered diagnoses and medications.
Patients Rising Concierge
Patients Rising Concierge is designed to support patients navigating the healthcare system, improve access to treatment for chronic diseases, and ensure that patients are seen, heard, and respected by every person in the healthcare ecosystem.
Here you’ll find helpful resources on topics critical to patient access to care, including paying for healthcare, selecting insurance plans, treatment centers, chronic and rare illness support, mental health services, legal support, health education, end of life and palliative care options, and more.
And, if you can’t find what you need on your own, a patient navigator can help you via phone at 800-685-2654 or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to supporting you along your journey.
Pink Fund
Provides 90-day non-medical cost-of-living expenses on behalf of breast cancer patients in active treatment so they can focus on healing, raising their families, and returning to the workplace.
Pinky Swear Foundation
Provides financial support for child cancer patients in rent, mortgages, car payments and repairs, groceries, gas, and childcare for their families.
Project Purple
Provides financial aid with mortgage/rent, utilities, and medical bills pertaining to pancreatic cancer.
Purple Iris Foundation
The mission of The Purple Iris Foundation is to raise awareness, provide support, and give hope to individuals and families affected by cancer, in Maine.
[email protected]
Chris Parrish founded The Purple Iris Foundation as a result of what was then her 18 month journey through pancreatic cancer. She was given the life-changing news on June 16, 2008. Needless to say, she initially reacted with shock and then was told that she had only 3-6 months to live with treatment. She was appalled and decided then that no one in her lifetime should be given this news – thus The Purple Iris Foundation was born to help raise awareness and support her fellow patients. Christina is proud to say that she is a 8-year survivor. Christina is living proof that there is hope.
Rally Foundation
[email protected]
Helps cancer patient’s familyies with financial assistance. Patient must be under age of 21.
Rebuilding Together
Offers home improvements projects such as installing wheelchair ramps, cabinets, plumbing for senior homeowners.
Sanborn Foundation
The Sanborn Foundation helps Arlington Massachusetts residents pay for expenses related to their cancer care and treatment.
Sarcoma Alliance
Provides financial assistance to sarcoma patients.
Selma Schimmel Vital Grant
[email protected]
Provides financial support for transportation to treatment, treatment costs, medication, groceries, and other expenses like childcare, utility payments, and prepared meals for patients with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
Silver Lining Fund
[email protected]
Assists cancer patients in certain Ohio counties with household expenses, drug and medications costs, and transportation.
Susan G. Komen
The Komen Patient Care Center Connects people to high-quality care and helps them overcome barriers in the health care system. The Komen Helpline offers support provided by trained specialists and oncology social workers to support those navigating our complex health care system in both English and Spanish. Komen’s Treatment Assistance Program provides financial assistance to help cover expenses related to housing, transportation, food, medications, equipment, home care, child and elder care, and more. Komen’s Patient Navigation programs are designed to connect patients to support and resources, empower navigators with knowledge, skills and solutions, and expand our reach to serve patients no matter where they live.
Sy’s Fund
Sy’s Fund is here to help young adults ages 18-39 who are facing the challenges of cancer by funding their creative passions, pursuits, and hobbies as well as integrative therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology, and therapeutic massage.
We are a tribute fund in memory of Silas “Sy” River Bennett, a young man who thrived on ideas, projects, and goals.
Understanding the extreme challenges young adults with cancer face, it is our goal to provide something that will help to make a difference in their daily lives.
Team Maggie for a Cure
Provides fertility support for young adults facing cancer. Team Maggie knows that certain cancer treatments can lead to infertility and wants to help you beat your cancer for you and the next generation. Services include support, education, and financial assistance to teens and young adults with cancer seeking fertility preservation.
The Lindy Fund
Provides one-time financial support of up to $600 to low-income women and men actively in treatment for all types of cancer (except breast) and living in Alameda and Contra Costa counties in California.
The Red Devils
Funds support in treatment transportation, family support (meals, groceries, house cleaning, utilities, rent/mortgage, and childcare/respite care), and medical services/treatment-related therapies for breast cancer patients and their families.
The Samfund
[email protected]
Offers grants twice a year to cancer survivors aged 21-39 to help with medical bills, living expenses, family building, auto repair, auto insurance, public transportation, tuition, vocational training, continuing education, student loans, and school supplies.
Triage Cancer
Dedicated to helping survivors, caregivers, and health care professionals navigate cancer survivorship issues by connecting them to experts, information, and resources. The site guides you through some key topics that may impact your financial situation. Whether you are newly diagnosed or many years past active treatment, this site can help you navigate finances after cancer.
Cancer is expensive. But there are ways to effectively manage your financial situation after a cancer diagnosis. Triage Cancer has a number of tools to help.
For example, Triage Cancer offers a Checklist to Avoiding Financial Toxicity, which poses some of the questions that you should figure out the answers to so that you may strategically reduce the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis, whether you have just been diagnosed, are still in treatment, or have already completed treatment and are considering long-term financial strategies.
This module will also provide you with practical steps to manage your finances, wherever you might be in the cancer care continuum.
For example, if you are newly diagnosed or in treatment, you could start by thinking about these things:
- Are you are properly insured? Consider your health insurance in relation to your long-term needs. Does your insurance cover follow-up care and future screenings? Do you have a disability insurance policy should you ever need to take time off work due to a medical condition? Would it be helpful to have a life insurance policy to help care for loved ones? Policies might be purchased from an insurance company, or they might be offered as part of your employer-sponsored benefits package. If you are looking for a new job, you might consider whether or not these benefits are available.
- What are your employee benefits options? You may consider options like rolling over your retirement accounts into an IRA, converting your employer-sponsored supplemental health insurance or life insurance policies to individual policies, and determining what you are going to do for health insurance coverage (e.g., COBRA, Marketplace plan, Medicaid, etc.).
- What are common treatment-related expenses?
- Deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance amounts
- Comfort for cosmetic side effects (e.g., wigs, makeup, prosthetics, specialty clothing)
- Caregiving costs
- Long-term or home health care costs
- Psychosocial care
- Complementary therapies (e.g., yoga, massage, Reiki, meditation, etc.)
- Transportation costs related to traveling to and from treatment
- Child care above normal expenses due to time away for treatment
However, these may not be the only costs to take into account when managing your finances. Consider the impact a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments may have on your physical abilities — it could become difficult to work or complete household chores. If you need to take time off work, it could become challenging to afford basic living expenses, like food or rent. You might need help with daily tasks, like meal preparation and household chores. You could also require hired professional services related to employment, legal assistance, and finances.
Remember that you are not alone: Talking about financial concerns with others can be challenging and uncomfortable, especially if you don’t know what questions to ask or what to say. One simple way to start the conversation is to say, “I am worried about costs associated with my cancer treatment. Can we please discuss my concerns?”
United Way
Funds community organizations which deliver myriad services to the disadvantaged and needy.
Vital Options Selma Schimmel Vital Grant
Provides financial support for transportation to treatment, treatment costs, medication, groceries, and other expenses like childcare, utility payments, and prepared meals for patients with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
Audrey Ribero says
Thank you so much for this organized information, I really appreciate it! I found several useful resources that I would not have thought about.
Tammy Clark says
Thank you for taking the time to create a list of organization that can assist me with various resources and tools needed to get through this difficult time. You are truly a blessing from God.
Nichole says
What an awesome list of resources!!! I am so happy to see so much help being offered to those who really need it
. I was looking for assistance for something else and when I saw all these resources I felt guilty for even thinking about asking for help. These people who are suffering in pain and sickness deserve it so much more than I do. Thank you so much for being compassionate and providing people and families with such great resources. This blesses my heart ❤️🙏!!!