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Finding Cancer Caregiver Financial Assistance

Providing cancer care for a loved one is a meaningful role, but it can also be stressful and challenging. Many family caregivers face financial burdens. Care needs can vary significantly for a cancer patient, depending on the severity and stage of their illness. 

At any stage and with any type of cancer, caregiving can be costly. Finding cancer caregiver financial assistance can help you relieve some of the burden. It will allow you to spend less time worrying about money and more time caring for your loved one. 

Here, we’ll talk about the challenges of being a cancer caregiver and list important financial assistance resources. 

Looking for more information about being a family caregiver? Check if you have free access to the Trualta library and caregiving community. 

What It Means To Be A Cancer Caregiver

Patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, and other cancer types receive professional medical care, but many also need home care. This care is often provided by informal caregivers, like family members. 

Family caregivers are usually unpaid and rarely have any formal training. Some of the roles of a family cancer caregiver include: 

  • Completing household tasks, like cooking and cleaning
  • Running errands
  • Transporting and accompanying patients to appointments and treatments
  • Providing personal care, such as dressing or bathing
  • Managing finances and schedules
  • Providing emotional support

Cancer caregivers often have little time for their own needs. They are at increased risk for mental health issues, like anxiety or depression. They often neglect self-care and experience a decline in quality of life. 

A major issue many caregivers face is the financial burden. Most informal caregivers are unpaid. They’re often unable to work or to work full time. They may be contributing to the costs of cancer treatments, which can be high. Direct medical expenditures for cancer are higher than for other illnesses. 

If you’re a cancer caregiver, resources for financial assistance can help. From government and insurance resources to grants and charitable organizations, you don’t have to take on the burden alone. 

Government & Insurance Resources

If your loved one qualifies, you may be able to get assistance through government social programs and health insurance plans. 

Medicaid & Medicare

Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals. It’s administered at the state level. Programs and requirements vary by state but must meet certain minimum federal standards. 

All states now include self-directed care, a philosophy of care that allows care recipients to have more control. It means that qualifying Medicaid participants who need in-home care can choose their caregiver. They can select a family member to be paid to provide care. 

Furthermore, most state Medicaid programs also offer Home and Community-Based Services waivers. These allow participants to receive care in their homes and communities instead of institutions. 

Medicare is a federally run insurance program for older adults. It doesn’t generally cover long-term care, but there is one benefit that can help financially strapped cancer caregivers. If your loved one qualifies for Medicare and is in hospice care, you can get up to five consecutive days of respite care. Many family caregivers never take respite because they can’t afford it. 

Social Security Programs

Social security programs could also help you and your loved one cover some care costs if they qualify. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are programs that offer monthly payments for eligible patients who cannot work. 

Cancer may be considered a qualifying disability if it prevents your loved one from working. SSDI depends on their past work history and contributions to Social Security. SSI does not require that an individual have a work history; it’s based on need alone. 

U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs

The VA offers a few types of assistance to qualifying veterans and their informal caregivers. This includes a directed care program that allows veterans to appoint up to one primary and two secondary family caregivers. 

The primary caregiver is eligible for monthly payments and health care. Both primary and secondary caregivers have access to other resources, like training and education. The VA also offers respite care services for caregivers. 

Some veterans may also qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. These benefits are additional monthly payments for veterans who need help with daily care or are mostly housebound due to illness or disability. 

Long-Term Care Insurance

Not all private health insurance plans include long-term care. Check your loved one’s insurance policy. If they have long-term coverage, it may help pay for the costs of cancer care. These include expenses the caregiver would otherwise have to pay for and payments to the caregiver for the work they do. 

A person wearing a blue head covering sits across from another person, looking at them.

Charitable Financial Assistance Programs

If government programs and insurance don’t provide enough assistance, consider charitable programs. Many organizations offer financial assistance to cancer patients and their caregivers. 

CancerCare

CancerCare offers a financial assistance program for some of the costs related to cancer care. These include:

  • Transportation costs
  • Child care
  • Pet care

To qualify, an individual must be:

  • Diagnosed with cancer
  • Be in active cancer treatment
  • Meet guidelines based on the Federal Poverty Limit 

The organization has a toll-free number, 800-813-HOPE (4673), to call to talk to a social worker. They can help you determine if your loved one qualifies or help you find other financial resources. 

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition

The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) is a group of organizations that help cancer patients with finances. Some of the member groups include the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the Sarcoma Alliance. 

CFAC maintains a searchable database that patients and their caregivers can use to find assistance they might qualify for. 

Patient Advocate Foundation

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) works with all kinds of patients, including cancer patients, helping remove barriers to quality health care. It can help caregivers by providing financial resources. 

PAF lists several open financial aid funds, which cater to specific types of illnesses and cancers. The Co-Pay Relief program provides funding for treatments and medications. Check the PAF website to see which funds are currently open and providing funds to qualifying patients. 

American Cancer Society Road To Recovery

The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program assists with transportation for cancer patients. Available throughout the country, it uses volunteers to drive patients and their families to appointments and cancer treatments. 

Road to Recovery’s free rides relieve some of the burden of transportation costs. There are minimal requirements to qualify. Most patients who have a cancer-related appointment are eligible. 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

If your loved one has been diagnosed with and is being treated for a blood cancer, they could qualify for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) benefits.

LLS aid programs include several types of financial aid: 

  • General cancer-related expenses in the form of a $500 grant
  • Co-pay assistance to cover insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays
  • Travel assistance for approved types of travel and lodging expenses while receiving treatment
  • Travel assistance specifically for receiving CAR T-Cell therapy
  • Urgent needs, which is a grant of $500 available once per 12-month period

Komen Financial Assistance Program

Susan G. Komen is a breast cancer charity and advocacy group. It offers financial assistance to qualifying breast cancer patients. The funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Patients must apply with information about their diagnosis and household income. They must also submit evidence that they’re completing active treatment. 

Prescription Assistance

Several charity organizations provide assistance in paying for medications. The Medicine Assistance Tool is a search tool for finding pharmaceutical industry programs for patient assistance. 

Needy Meds helps patients find coupons, free offers, and rebates. It also has a patient assistance program that provides free or discounted medications to patients who qualify based on financial need. 

Food Assistance

If you need help providing your loved one with enough healthy food, specific programs can help. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a government program, formerly known as Food Stamps. The program provides eligible participants with a benefits transfer card to shop for food. 

Meals on Wheels is a charitable organization that delivers ready-to-eat meals. It serves disabled, homebound, and older adults. Many cancer patients qualify to receive these meals. In addition to food delivery, volunteers often provide conversation and help relieve the isolation of lonely patients. 

Community Organizations

Caregivers can find local branches or organizations in their communities that help residents in need. The United Way, Catholic Charities, and the Salvation Army are examples of community groups that provide financial assistance locally for various reasons. You can also find smaller, local groups, like religious organizations or a cancer support community, that provide volunteers and other services.

Call 211 to find resources available in your community. This number is associated with the United Way. Each call is confidential and connects you to local resources. You can access this service on the phone, through chats, and online at 211.org. 

Financial assistance for cancer caregivers is available. You just need to know where to look and not be afraid to ask. Use these resources for caregiver support and to remove some of the financial challenges of caring for a sick loved one. 

Don’t forget to check if you have free access to the Trualta library for more information about caring for someone with cancer. 

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