Get Breast Cancer Financial Assistance – A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and financially stressful for a lot of patients and their families. Apart from bearing the cost of cancer diagnostic tests and active treatment patients have to bear additional expenses like childcare, transportation, housing and so on. In many cases, patients and their caregivers are unable to continue working and may face loss of job or income that adds to their financial strain.
Fortunately, there are government programs and nonprofit organizations that assist with both medical and non-medical expenses including other types of charitable aid to breast cancer patients in America. It is important to know that every organization has its eligibility criteria to apply for financial assistance. The requirements are generally related to breast cancer treatment status, providing proof of income or financial need, health insurance coverage etc. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide different avenues through which you can get breast cancer financial assistance and will walk you through the steps so that you can qualify for the programs easily.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Must have a confirmed breast cancer diagnosis and be undergoing treatment.
- Proof of financial hardship, such as high medical costs or loss of income, is necessary.
- Includes proof of identity, income, residency, cancer diagnosis, and treatment plans.
- Assistance is available through government programs and nonprofits, each with specific eligibility criteria.
- Covers a wide range of expenses from medical bills to living costs, enhancing the quality of life during treatment.
What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Get Breast Cancer Financial Assistance?
The specific eligibility criteria to obtain financial assistance for breast cancer patients may vary depending on the program or organization providing you with the assistance but the common factors include the following:
- Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Individuals should have a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and be in active treatment for cancer to qualify for financial assistance. You need to provide cancer diagnosis statements as confirmed by an oncology healthcare provider.
- Citizenship and Residency: Applicants should be citizens of the United States or meet the particular residency requirements depending on the financial assistance program they are considering.
- Financial Need: Individuals are required to demonstrate a strong financial need or hardship in the form of high medical expenses, limited income, loss of jobs or insufficient insurance coverage to cover the bills.
- Breast Cancer Treatment Plan: Patients who are seeking financial assistance for breast cancer patients must be actively undergoing cancer treatment or prepared to start the treatment as soon as possible.
- Income Guidelines: Individuals are required to meet certain eligibility criteria set by the organization or the program and show that they are earning below a specific percentage of the federal poverty level or state median income to qualify.
- Insurance Coverage: A few programs may consider the extent of insurance coverage and patients’ pocket expenses before providing them with financial support.
- Documentation: Applicants have to provide supporting documents such as proof of medical bills, cancer diagnosis, income documents, insurance statements and details of every expense for which they are seeking assistance from the organization.
What Are The Documentation Requirements To Get Breast Cancer Financial Assistance?
The specific type of documents required to get breast cancer financial and travel assistance may vary depending on the program but the commonly requested documents are as follows:
- Proof of Identity: Applicants need to provide proof of their identity in the form of a passport, state ID, driver’s license or government-issued identification documents.
- Proof of Income: Applicants need to provide proof of household income in the form of pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns or other documents that verify their financial position.
- Proof of Need: Individuals are required to provide proof of financial hardship in the form of letters from shelters, eviction notices, and statements from social workers to demonstrate their housing instability or crisis. This also includes your inability to stay in your current home because of safety, health or other reasons.
- Proof of Cancer Diagnosis: Medical records, certificates confirming your breast cancer diagnosis or doctor’s letters are required as proof of your cancer diagnosis.
- Proof of Residency: You need to provide proof of address in the form of lease agreements, utility bills or mortgage payments.
- Proof of your Age: In some cases, you may need to provide proof of your age set by the organization in the form of utility bills, mortgage or lease agreements.
- Proof of Treatment: Documents showing your treatment plans, chemotherapy, prescriptions or radiation therapy schedules may be required as proof of cancer treatment.
- Reference Letters: Even though it is optional, sometimes organizations request letters from social workers, health care providers or employers confirming your circumstance or need for assistance.
How To Find Breast Cancer Financial Assistance Programs?
In the below section of the guide, we have mentioned several avenues for you to explore breast cancer financial assistance programs.
Government Financial Assistance Programs For Breast Cancer Patients
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal or state-run health insurance program that helps low-income families and individuals who are looking for financial assistance to cover their medical bills.
A lot of states provide home care services to those who are getting free income assistance in the form of Social Security Income benefits. The program covers medical supplies, part-time nursing, equipment and home care aid services.
Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program (TANF)
The Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program is geared towards the low-income category and helps them to cover their monthly payments for food, housing, clothing, transportation, phone, utilities, medical supplies and other costs that are not covered by the federal Medicaid program. Breast cancer patients who need free gas cards or financial support on a short-term basis can consider applying for this program.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration, the federal agency oversees the Supplemental Security Income and provides financial support for eligible elderly and disabled people.
Cancer-affected senior citizens or disabled individuals have to meet the eligibility criteria of the program to get the right financial support. Cancer-affected individuals can get monthly cash support so that they can cover basic needs like food, rent, utilities, transportation or clothing.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance is a federally funded program that provides disability benefits to low-income individuals and families including cancer-affected individuals who are not working. Nearly 31% of cancer-affected people have relied on Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in the year 2021 to get support for their treatment.
HUD Housing Assistance Programs
The Department of Housing and Urban Development administers a lot of housing assistance programs for low-income families and cancer-affected individuals to eliminate the problem of homelessness and housing insecurity.
Cancer patients navigate housing-associated financial challenges during their treatment process. To learn about rental and housing assistance programs for cancer patients you can head to our next guide. A few programs include the following:
- HOME, HOME Investment Partnership
- Section 202 Supportive Housing For The Elderly Program
- Indian Housing Block Grant Program
- Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
- Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Program
LIHEAP/ WAP
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) help to pay for home energy costs and reduce the financial burden of low-income households.
These programs are funded by the US Department of Energy to help low-income families pay for their heating and cooling costs including home weatherization. Cancer patients who are unable to pay for their utility bills or unable to pay for their home repairs can apply.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Breast cancer patients who are unable to pay for their food bills and eat healthier and nutritious meals as most of their income is spent towards treatment costs and can apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program.
A few more government assistance programs include the following:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- US Administration On Aging
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Nonprofit Organizations And Charities That Provide Breast Cancer Financial Assistance
Susan G. Komen
Susan G Komen is the only organization in America that addresses breast cancer on multiple fronts for instance research, community health, global outreach as well as public policy initiatives to make the largest impact against this dreadful disease. You can find information about financial assistance programs for instance prescription drugs, medical costs, lodging, child and indoor care and transportation from this organization.
The organization offers home and financial assistance programs to qualified individuals who are undergoing breast cancer treatment at any stage or living with metastatic breast cancer or stage 4 which is one of the most advanced stages of breast cancer. Depending on your eligibility the program can help you with daily living expenses like elder care, childcare, rent, utilities, oral treatment medicines for medical equipment and home healthcare.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer Fund
Living Beyond Breast Cancer Fund offers one-time need-based grants in the range of $500 to $1250 for those who are receiving active treatment for breast cancer. The grant helps with non-medical and cost-of-living expenses like car payments, mortgage, utilities and car insurance payments.
Cancer and Careers
Cancer and Careers provides a one-time financial grant of over $250 to those who are receiving treatment for cancer including those who have a history of cancer and enables them to cover basic living expenses like utilities, training from technology or skill development.
Allyson Whitney Foundation
Life Interrupted Grants provided by the Allyson Whitney Foundation assist in the range between $500 to $1500 for eligible young adults who are between 6 to 36 years old and are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Individuals must be in active breast cancer treatment or must have finished active treatment over the past ten months to qualify for this financial assistance grant. The grant can be used to cover rent, medical bills, utilities, IVF treatments, insurance premiums, integrative therapies, travel expenses and many more.
The Patient Advocate Foundation
The Patient Advocate Foundation provides patient relief programs to insured individuals who qualify and allow them to get coverage for medical treatments and prescriptions.
Sam Fund Grant Program
Sam Fund Grant Program by Expect Miracles Foundation provides financial assistance to young adults who are in age between 21 and 39 and have a history of breast cancer. The financial grants cover the cost associated with graduate tuition, car payments for fertility preservation, reconstructive procedures and help with mortgage or rent payments.
United Breast Cancer Foundation’s Individual Grant Program
United Breast Cancer Foundation’s Individual Grant Program helps to support people who are getting treatment for breast cancer or have been in remission for the past three years or less by covering basic living expenses like prescription medications, medicine procedures, housing expenses, COBRA insurance coverage, transportation costs, rent and utilities, car insurance payments to name a few.
The Pink Fund 90-Day Grant Program
90-Day Grant Program by the Pink Fund helps to cover the cost of living expenses provided they have been in active treatment for breast cancer and need financial assistance. The grant program helps residents to cover necessary expenses like housing, rent, insurance, utilities and transportation costs.
Infinite Strength
Infinite Strength’s Global Financial Assistance helps breast cancer patients cover the cost of rent or mortgage for six months. This is for underserved solo parents who are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and are navigating financial hardship.
American Breast Cancer Foundation
American Breast Cancer Foundation runs a national breast cancer assistance program for cancer screenings and diagnostic tests for underserved and uninsured individuals irrespective of their gender, race or age.
The organization provides life-saving services to individuals who would otherwise have no other means of access. The organization strives to lower the barriers and facilitate cancer diagnosis and treatment that are critical to achieving equality in breast cancer outcomes. You can apply for assistance by dialing 844-219-2223 or speaking to their specialist at their official website.
PA Breast Cancer Coalition
PA Breast Cancer Coalition works to assist women across Pennsylvania to fight against breast cancer. The mission of the organization is to find a cure for breast cancer and has donated $5 million for breast cancer research to date in Pennsylvania.
The organization helps underinsured and insured women get free mammograms including free treatment for breast cancer. You can also get free care packages from the organization. Pennsylvania residents can learn more about medical assistance programs by dialing 1-800-732-0999.
Pay It Forward Fund
Pay It Forward Fund organization helps patients who are struggling financially after being treated for breast and women’s cancer. The organization serves patients in Buffalo, Glencoe, Centracare, M Health, HCMC, Mercy, Maple Grove, Methodist, North Memorial, Montecillo, Sibley and Unity Medical Centres, Ridgeview and Northland. To know more you can contact them at 952-777-5100 or 952-442-6049.
Hope Chest
Hope Chest supports women who are getting active treatment for breast cancer in Minnesota by contributing funds towards invoices like utility bills, rent or car payments.
AvonCares Program
AvonCares Program is funded by the Avon Foundation for Women in partnership with CancerCare that aims to provide financial assistance for underserved women and help them manage the costs associated with breast cancer treatment. This program helps to pay for diagnostic services for eligible women who have had ovarian, breast or cervical cancer screenings.
Sisters Network Inc.
Sisters Network Breast Cancer Assistance Program helps breast cancer survivors to reduce financial challenges. The fund pays for office visits, housing and co-pay while undergoing surgery, radiation or chemotherapy treatment. This is a national African American breast cancer survivorship organization that is committed to raising awareness about the impact of breast cancer in the African American community.
The Gift Of Hope
The Gift of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation offers financial support to women who are undergoing breast cancer treatment and helps them to cover essential living expenses. The organization believes that women should not worry about their overall well-being and so the foundation pays for their monthly bills like gas, phone, electricity and groceries.
American Cancer Society
The volunteer programs are provided with local divisions of the popular nonprofit organization American Cancer Society. The objective of the organization is to offset the cost of treatment, help breast cancer patients reduce financial hardship and get assistance with weeks, prostheses and transportation.
CancerCare
Women’s Cancers Program is administered by the nonprofit organization CancerCare throughout the natives of America to assist female-identifying individuals cope with cancer-related costs.
The funds help to cover expenses related to oral, anti-nausea and pain medications, lymphedema medicines, durable medical equipment and so on. CancerCare Financial Assistance is provided for transportation, home care and childcare for eligible women.
Resources For Emotional Support, Wellness And Mental Health
Following with a list of organizations that help breast cancer patients take care of their emotional and mental health and connect to others who can provide them with the right advice and support during their difficult phase.
- Breastcancer.org provides online support through their discussion boards and forums, and virtual community meetups.
- The Cancer Support helpline provides advice and emotional support over the telephone to individuals diagnosed with cancer as well as their caregivers. The helpline staff are available through live web chat to offer information, give support and answer questions.
- American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivors Network hosts forums and discussion boards where cancer patients and their caregivers get connected to others and share their experiences, offer advice on different topics related to breast cancer and ask questions.
- CancerCare provides free 15-week online support groups for cancer patients in active treatment and for those who have completed breast cancer treatment over the past 18 months. An oncology social worker led the group.
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer runs a Breast Cancer Helpline that matches individuals with trained volunteers who are going through cancer diagnosis and provides the right emotional support or guidance.
Resources For Breast Prosthesis/ Mastectomy Bras
Individuals who had lumpectomy or mastectomy as a part of their cancer treatment can get partial or full coverage from their health insurance provider for breast prosthesis or mastectomy with a doctor’s prescription. The cost can be covered by Medicaid or Medicare. If you need help since you are underinsured or uninsured you can check the following organization.
- Pink Heart Funds provides breast forms as well as post-mastectomy bras to underinsured or uninsured women who are having breast cancer.
- Knitted Knockers offers free knitted handmade breast forms for women which is one of the low-cost and best alternatives to expensive silicon-based breast forms.
- Pink Warrior Advocates has collaborated with AnaOno to send specially designed and comfortable bras free to women post-surgery for their breast cancer depending on their financial need.
Resources For Hair Loss
Following are the non profit organizations that offer financial assistance for scarves, wigs, head coverings, scalp cooling systems and cold caps.
- The Fleener Family Foundation offers cold caps rentals through Warrior Caps at significant discounts offered free to needy people who are getting chemotherapy.
- HairToStay provides need-based grants for scaling treatments for individuals diagnosed with cancer.
- EBeauty Community runs free National Wig exchange programs to help women who are getting cancer treatment. The organization has hospital partnership programs where it offers wigs directly to the hospital so donate them to patients.
- Sharsheret provides the Best Face Forward 2.0 Program through which it offers financial subsidies for cold caps and wigs for those who can meet the eligibility criteria of the program. The organization provides counseling and education for those who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Good Wishes donates free scarf and cotton wrap to those who are suffering hair loss as a result of cancer treatment.
- The Look Good Feel Better Program assists individuals diagnosed with cancer manage the side effects of treatment that can affect their self-esteem and physical appearance. They provide free virtual workshops and trained professionals that provide advice on managing hair loss, using head coverings, weeks and makeup and skin care.
Conclusion
Breast cancer treatments are quite expensive and the costs are likely to increase with more advanced and expensive treatments adopted as standards of care. If paying for breast cancer treatment including follow-up care seems challenging and overwhelming for you then do not worry as there are tons of Cancer assistance grants and programs funded by government agencies and nonprofit organizations for individuals and families. Breast cancer grants provided through different resources can help you in times of need and will make sure you don’t skip the treatment and get the right care that you deserve. This guide provides a list of avenues that provide breast cancer grants to people who are affected by breast cancer and help them pay for their care and reduce their financial hardship.
Head to our blog at Get Government Grants to avail free resources and government programs for low-income families. Our guide has numerous supportive programs and names of organizations that help people in times of need.