Financial Assistance for People With Cancer

The simple versionExplain▾

Many organizations exist specifically to help people with cancer pay for care and stay afloat — copay foundations, drug-company programs, government benefits, and local charities. Each has its own rules, which is why the single best first move is asking your hospital's social worker or financial counselor to match you with the right ones.

All phone numbers and program details below were checked against the organizations' own materials as of July 2026 — but programs change, so confirm details when you call.

You do not have to be destitute to qualify — many programs help insured, working families with copays and daily costs.

Start with two free helplinesExplain▾

• NCI's Cancer Information Service — 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). Trained specialists help you find referrals and resources for emotional, practical, and financial support.
• American Cancer Society — 1-800-227-2345, available 24/7. Cancer information specialists connect patients and caregivers with programs and resources, including transportation and lodging help.

Help with drug copays, premiums, and deductiblesExplain▾

Nonprofit copay foundations pay part of your out-of-pocket drug and treatment costs. Funds open and close by diagnosis, so check back if one is closed:

• HealthWell Foundation — 800-675-8416 — copays, premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses.
• Patient Advocate Foundation (TotalAssist) — 866-512-3861 — in March 2026, Patient Advocate Foundation and PAN Foundation merged; their unified TotalAssist program (launched July 1, 2026) covers nearly 150 serious and chronic conditions. Apply at totalassist.org. PAF also offers free case management for insurance and billing problems (800-532-5274).
• CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation — 866-552-6729.
• Good Days — 877-968-7233.
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Co-Pay Assistance Program — 877-557-2672 (blood cancers).
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) — 800-999-6673 (rare cancers and diseases).

Help straight from drug companiesExplain▾

Drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs that provide their medicines free or at reduced cost to people who qualify — including help with insurance copays. To find them:

• NeedyMeds — 800-503-6897 — a database of assistance programs by drug name.
• Medicine Assistance Tool — the pharmaceutical industry's search tool for programs.
• Ask your oncology pharmacist or clinic — many offices file these applications routinely.

General cancer organizationsExplain▾

• CancerCare — 800-813-HOPE (4673) — limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs, plus professional oncology social workers who help you find additional resources.
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — 800-955-4572 — financial programs for people with blood cancers.
• Triage Cancer — free legal and practical education, plus the Cancer Finances tool for navigating money topics after diagnosis.

Searchable databases for your situationExplain▾

• CancerCare's Helping Hand (cancercare.org/helpinghand) — hundreds of national and regional organizations, searchable by diagnosis, zip code, and type of assistance.
• Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (cancerfac.org) — a coalition database of organizations providing financial help to cancer patients.

Government programsExplain▾

• Medicare — 800-633-4227 — health insurance for people 65+ and some people with disabilities.
• Medicaid — through your state — coverage for people with limited income.
• Social Security Administration — 800-772-1213 — disability benefits when illness is expected to keep you from working at least a year.
• Healthcare.gov — ACA marketplace plans; cancer cannot be used to deny coverage.
• Eldercare Locator — 800-677-1116 — benefits and services for older adults.
• 211 (211.org) — connects many communities to local help with food, housing, utilities, and more.

Community and household helpExplain▾

For general living expenses during treatment, local chapters of the United Way, Catholic Charities (703-549-1390), and The Salvation Army (800-728-7825) provide assistance in many communities. Hospital chaplains and local congregations often know of small local funds too.

Apply broadly and early — most programs take applications before crisis hits, and social workers can often fast-track them.

The takeawayExplain▾

Financial help for cancer is fragmented but real. The winning strategy: tell your care team costs are a concern, get a social worker involved, call the two national helplines, apply to every copay and assistance program that fits your diagnosis, and use the searchable databases for the rest. Persistence pays — sometimes literally.