About Breast Cancer

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Financial help and resources

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A middle-aged Black woman looks worriedly through her mail
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For many people being treated for breast cancer, paying for care can cause stress. Every test, doctor visit, hospital stay, and treatment adds up, even if you have good health coverage. If you don’t have insurance, or your plan doesn’t cover much, paying medical and everyday bills can sometimes seem impossible. Taking time off from work can also mean less income.

Being in treatment can mean it’s hard to pay for:

  • Medical bills, including copays and out-of-pocket costs
  • Prescriptions
  • Supplies, such as wigs and sleeves to help reduce effects of lymphedema
  • Rent or mortgage
  • Food, car payments, or other basic needs
  • Travel for treatment
  • Child care

The costs of living with breast cancer can lead to financial distress, or financial toxicity.

Financial toxicity is a term used to describe problems people living with cancer may have due to the cost of care. Whether you are recently diagnosed, in active treatment, or living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), you may face financial toxicity. You are not alone. In fact, about half of people in the U.S. living with cancer report financial toxicity.

Meanwhile, if your life is impacted by breast cancer, you’ll want to focus on recovery and healing, without worrying about paying for care and other costs. To help you do that, we are proud to offer these resources about:

The list on this page does not include all resources that exist. Other groups may provide help, too. If you know of other useful resources not listed here, please email us at mail@lbbc.org.

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On this page

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer Fund

The Living Beyond Breast Cancer Fund provides one-time grants to help ease the financial stress of breast cancer. Grants can be used to pay for things like rent, utility bills, car payments, and car insurance. We award a limited number of grants of $500 to $1,250 based on need.

If you need financial support or want to learn more about the Fund, please visit the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Fund page. Applications are accepted in January, March, May, July, September, and November.

To be eligible, you must:

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Receiving [a grant] shifted my energy from worrying about bills and allowed me to focus on healing and enjoying life.

LBBC Fund recipient

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Whom to ask for financial help

If you need financial support, your cancer center likely has many people who can help you find programs and services. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; your care team can’t help you if they don’t know you have concerns. People who can help are:

  • Your doctors and nurses
  • Social workers, oncology financial navigators, and nurse navigators
  • Hospital discharge planners
  • Patient services offices
  • Financial assistance offices

Outside of your cancer center or hospital, you can speak with:

  • Your health insurance company
  • Local and national nonprofit groups
  • Social service agencies
  • State insurance agencies
  • Government assistance offices
  • Friends, family members, or co-workers who have been affected by cancer who may have tips and ideas they can share

LBBC can also help. If you’d like to talk to someone about financial resources, call us at (855) 807-6386. Keep in mind: LBBC does not provide financial guidance.

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Resources directory

Organizations offering grants and financial help

African American Breast Cancer Alliance Inc. ‘Lil Help, a ‘Lil Hope Fund
https://aabcainc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AABCA-LHLH-Grant-Application.pdf
(612) 462-6813
Grants for nonmedical needs

Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery
https://airsfoundation.org/
(866) 376-6153
Grants toward breast reconstruction

American Breast Cancer Foundation Breast Cancer Assistance Program
https://www.abcf.org/our-programs/breast-cancer-assistance-program/?gclid=CjwKCAiAiKuOBhBQEiwAId_sK5fzlycGDNNMx-lYogUgYBuGvjkuEjCuk9zCdhMAqqxx-oxclHgjdBoCjksQAvD_BwE
(410) 730-5105
Help with screening and diagnostic tests

The Assistance Fund
https://tafcares.org/patients/
(855) 845-3663
Help with copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other health-related expenses

Bringing Hope Home Light of Hope Family Program
https://bringinghopehome.org/nominate/how-to-apply/
(484) 580-8395
Support (in six states) for essential household bills

Cancer and Careers Financial Assistance Grants Program
https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/resource/financial-assistance-resources
Provides help with bills, technology, and skill training

CancerCare Financial Assistance Program
https://www.cancercare.org/financial
(800) 813-4673
Help with non-treatment-related costs (transportation, home care, child care)

CancerCare Co-payment Assistance Foundation
https://www.cancercare.org/copayfoundation
(866) 552-6729
Help with paying out of pocket costs for treatment

Expect Miracles Foundation SAM (Surviving and Moving Forward) Fund
https://expectmiraclesfoundation.org/get-help/
(617) 938-3484
Grants for young adults after cancer treatment

Family Reach Financial Treatment Program
https://familyreach.org/gethelp/
(857) 233-2764
Funds for housing, transportation, utilities, and food; Clinical Trial Access Fund

Forward4Tobi
https://www.forward4tobi.org/
(847) 894-6650
Help with medical and living expenses, child care, and rent

Foundation for End of Life Care
https://foundationeolc.org/
(877) 800-2951
Funds living expenses for things that are not covered by hospice

Genevieve’s Helping Hands Charity
Genevieve Memorial Breast Cancer Recovery Grant
https://www.genshelpinghands.org/apply-for-a-----------genevieve-memorial-recovery-grant.html
(516) 500-3702
Treatment and recovery help for young (first diagnosed at age 40 or younger) mothers with at least one child under age 18

Good Days
https://mygooddays.org/apply/
Help with copays, travel costs, health insurance premiums, and diagnostic tests

Hair & Hope
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNSLPxcDFYqofMc9j3XASEmH0ayAgmIdZmHlxv3Y7h3rlDsw/viewform
Grants for cold capping (scalp cooling)

Hair to Stay
https://hairtostay.org/apply-for-a-subsidy/
(800) 270-1897
Grants for cold capping (scalp cooling)

HealthWell Foundation
https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/
(800) 675-8416
Help with copays, premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses for treatments and medicine

Infinite Strength Basic Human Needs Grant
https://www.infinitestrength.org/apply-for-aid
(203) 204-3878
Helps mothers with MBC with basic needs

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cervical-cancer-screening/about/screenings.html
Provides free and low-cost breast (and cervical) cancer screening

National Lymphedema Network Garment Program
https://lymphnet.org/garment-program
Offers compression garments at no cost for people with lymphedema

PAN Foundation
https://www.panfoundation.org/
Grants for copays, health insurance premiums, and transportation

Partners in Care
https://yourpartnersincare.org/apply/
(239) 601-2531
Help with lodging, transportation, medical supplies, and screening tests

Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program
https://www.patientadvocate.org/connect-with-services/copay-relief/
(866) 512-3861
Help with insurance copays for prescriptions and treatment

Pink Aid Emergency Financial Assistance (Pink Purse) Program
https://pinkaid.org/pink-aid-pink-purse/
(844) 746-5243
Help for nonmedical expenses during active treatment

The Pink Fund
https://pinkfund.org/get-help/
Help for cost-of-living expenses during active treatment

Sharsheret Best Face Forward
https://sharsheret.org/resource/best-face-forward-2-0/
(866) 474-2774
Aid to pay for wigs, cold caps, and tattoos

Sisters Network Inc. Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program
https://www.sistersnetworkinc.org/programs.html
(866) 781-1808
Help with utilities and rent or mortgage

Fertility resources: Financial help

Alliance for Fertility Preservation Financial Assistance Programs
https://www.allianceforfertilitypreservation.org/
Lists groups that help offset costs of fertility preservation for people impacted by cancer

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health
Heart Beat Fertility Preservation Prior to Cancer Treatment
https://www.ferringfertility.com/aspiring-parents/support-every-step-of-the-way/
(888) 347-3415
Provides certain fertility medicines at no cost for people diagnosed with cancer

Livestrong Fertility Discount Program
https://livestrong.org/how-we-help/livestrong-fertility/
(855) 844-7777
Provides discounts for services and medicine for fertility preservation

Team Maggie’s Dream
https://www.teammaggiesdream.org/
Offers grants to help with fertility preservation

Worth the Wait
https://worththewaitcharity.com/
Provides financial help for fertility treatments, adoption, and surrogacy

Financial counseling

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
https://www.cancerfac.org/
Lists groups that help people living with cancer manage financial challenges

National Foundation for Credit Counseling
https://www.nfcc.org
(800) 388-2227
Provides credit counseling and education

Government assistance programs

Government programs are also in place to offer financial support after a breast cancer diagnosis. Visit our Work accommodations and disability insurance and benefits page to learn about federal and state programs including:

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)/Continuation of Health Coverage
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra
(866) 487-2365
Provides information and overview of the law that offers short-term health insurance

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/search-tool/
(866) 674-6327
Help paying energy bills (electricity, gas, and others)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
https://www.usa.gov/social-security-disability
(844) 872-4681
Provides information and an eligibility tool for the government-run program for people with disabilities

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi
(800) 772-1213
Outlines the program that gives monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults with low or no income

State Disability Insurance
If you live in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, or Rhode Island, you may be able to get short-term disability insurance. Contact your state for details.

U.S. Department of Agriculture/SNAP
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
Provides information about the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
https://www.hhs.gov/
Provides assistance with Medicare/Medicaid

You can also read about Medicare and Medicaid (www.cms.gov/), two federal insurance programs, on our page on Health insurance options.

Even if you don’t think you meet the income criteria, consider applying to Medicaid. Many financial assistance programs (usually through a hospital or health system) require you to apply to Medicaid before they consider you.

Insurance resources

Alliance of Claims Assistance Professionals
https://claims.org/
(888) 394-5163
Help with claims denials, organizing insurance paperwork, negotiating fees for uninsured people, filing claims, and Medicare enrollment and plan selection

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)/Continuation of Health Coverage
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra
(866) 487-2365
Provides information and overview of program that offers short-term health insurance

Employee Benefits Security Administration
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa
(866) 444-3272
Provides information and resources for workers’ rights

State Health Insurance Assistance Program
https://www.shiphelp.org/
(877) 839-2675
Offers help to Medicare beneficiaries and their families and caregivers

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
https://www.healthcare.gov
(800) 318-2596
Offers information about the Healthcare Marketplace, Medicaid, and others

Legal services

American Bar Association’s Cancer Advocacy Pro Bono Legal Referral Services
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/health_law/interest_groups/educational_outreach/hlcancer/probono/
(404) 614-3969
Leads educational programs to protect the legal rights of people affected by cancer

Disability Rights Legal Center’s Cancer Legal Resource Center
https://thedrlc.org/cancer/
(866) 843-2572
Advocates for and helps people affected by cancer with legal issues

National Cancer Legal Services Network
https://legalhealth.org/nclsn/
(212) 613-5000
Promotes access to health care and legal services on behalf of people with low incomes who are impacted by cancer.

Triage Cancer
https://triagecancer.org/
(424) 258-4628
Supports people impacted by cancer with legal and practical issues

Practical needs assistance

Air Charity Network
https://aircharitynetwork.org/
(877) 621-7177
Provides access to free air transport for treatment

American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/
(800) 227-2345
Seeks to improve the lives of people affected by cancer through patient support and research

Angel Flight East
https://angelflighteast.org/
(215) 358-1900
Provides access to free air transport for treatment

Cleaning for a Reason Foundation
https://cleaningforareason.org/
Provides home cleaning services to people and families affected by cancer

Corporate Angel Network
https://www.corpangelnetwork.org/flight-request
(914) 328-1313
Arranges free travel on corporate planes

LifeLine Pilots
https://lifelinepilots.org/
(800) 822-7972
Offers free air transportation

Mercy Medical Angels
https://www.mercymedical.org/request-assistance
Assists with transportation expenses

Prescription medicine: Assistance and resources

Many companies that make medicines and therapies used to treat cancer offer help to people who use their medicines. You may want to start by contacting your drug makers to see if they offer discounts or medicine at no cost.

GoodRx
https://www.goodrx.com/
Helps locate pharmacies that offer the best prices and discounts

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company
https://costplusdrugs.com/medications/
Offers many prescription medicines at low prices

NeedyMeds
https://www.needymeds.org
(800) 503-6897
Offers information and lists resources to help with cost of medicines

PhRMA Medicine Assistance Tool
https://medicineassistancetool.org/
Helps people find programs to reduce medicine costs

RemediChain
https://www.cognitoforms.com/GoodShepherdLLC1/RemediChainPatientRegistration
(833) 999-1003
Provides donated medicine to people in need

RxHope
https://www.rxhope.com/home.aspx
Resource for getting low-cost medicine from drug companies

Workplace rights

Americans with Disabilities Act
https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/
(800) 514-0301
Outlines disability-rights laws

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/erisa
(866) 487-2365
Offers information about and resources related to ERISA

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
(866) 487-9243
Provides information about and forms for FMLA

U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Disability-Related Resources
https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc-disability-related-resources
(800) 669-4000
Presents resources and materials on disability-related matters

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About this page
Glossary
About LBBC

Reviewed and updated: October 2, 2024

Reviewed by: Aimee Hoch, MSW, LSW, OSW-C, FACCC

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer. To fulfill its mission of providing trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. For over 30 years, the organization has remained committed to creating a culture of acceptance — where sharing the diversity of the lived experience of breast cancer fosters self-advocacy and hope. For more information, learn more about our programs and services.