2-1-1
Population served: Everyone in the U.S. (check the website for availability in your area)Mission:
2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Services vary from community to community.
Examples of service referrals include:
- Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
- Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention
- Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
- Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation and homemaker services
- Support for children, youth and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.
2-1-1 Canada
Population served: Certain sections of Canada (check the website for availability in your area)Mission:
2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Services vary from community to community.
Examples of service referrals include:
- Health services and support
- Financial and social assistance
- Housing and utility help
- Food assistance and meal programs
- Senior services and home care
- Government program assistance
- Parenting and family programs
- Disability support services
- Volunteer organizations
- Newcomer services
- Mental health support
American Cancer Society (ACS)
Contact: 800-227-2345Population served: People affected by a cancer internationally; programs and services offered to patients and caregivers residing in the United States
Other language(s): Spanish, Chinese, Korean, VietnameseMission:
In the U.S., ACS is a community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
- Provides educational materials both online and in print about cancer, including blood cancers, 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
- 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 from limited supply to needy patients suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment. Intended for those with insufficient insurance coverage for cranial prostheses (wigs).
Cancer Survivor’s Fund
Contact: 281-437-7142Population served: Young adult cancer survivors
Mission:
To provide college scholarships and prosthetics for the benefit of persons diagnosed with cancer, receiving treatment for cancer or in remission, to give them a new purpose and meaning in life.
- Provides scholarships for young adults to enable them to start or continue their college education
- Provides financial help for prosthesis needs of young adults
- Offers counsel, provides emotional support, and motivates young cancer survivors to channel their thoughts and dreams to a healthy and productive future
- Supports young survivors to become volunteers themselves, give others courage and hope to develop a strong willpower to continue their fight with cancer.
Children’s Leukemia Research Association (CLRA)
Contact: 516-222-1944Population served: Children and adults with leukemia in the U.S., healthcare professionals and researchers
Mission:
To support research efforts towards finding the causes and cure for leukemia.
- Patient Aid Program offers limited funds (up to $3,000 per year) to assist with certain treatments, services and prescriptions; funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis
- Matching Dollar Program matches up to $3,000 in donations raised by the applicant, family or friends during a specific time period
- CLRA funds grants to doctors conducting promising research about leukemia.
Dental Lifeline Network
Contact: 888-471-6334Population served: All individuals in the U.S. with disabilities, elderly or medically at-risk, without financial means or alternative access and needing necessary, substantive and maintainable dental care.
Mission:
To provide access to comprehensive dentistry for society's most vulnerable individuals with disabilities or those who are elderly or medically at-risk and have no other way to get help.
- Dentists volunteer to provide comprehensive treatment to eligible patients
- Apply through statewide program coordinator to see if applications are being accepted in patient’s area
- Patients receive services through the program one time
- Dental HouseCalls Program brings care to people who cannot easily travel to dentists’ offices: residents of nursing homes, homebound individuals and developmentally disabled people attending day programs or living in residential centers. A fully equipped, portable dental office is transported in a van and set-up at bedside or in the facilities so dentists can serve these individuals.
Eyecare America
Contact: 877-887-6327Population served: U.S. citizens or legal residents who are without an Eye M.D. and who do not belong to an HMO or do not have eye care coverage through the Veterans Administration.
Other language(s): SpanishMission: Eyecare America provides eye exams and up to one year of care to US citizens and legal residents within the continental U.S, Hawaii and Puerto Rico through volunteer ophthalmologists (EyeMDs) often at no out-of-pocket cost to those who meet eligibility criteria.
Family Reach
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Cancer patients and their families within the 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories
Mission:
Dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between a cancer patient and their treatment.
- Delivers financial education, financial planning, resource navigation, and emergency relief funds to patients and caregivers facing a cancer diagnosis so no family has to choose between their health and their home. Patient must have a cancer diagnosis; be in active treatment or have completed treatment within 1 year; receive treatment within the US, Puerto Rico or US territories; be represented by a healthcare professional from the treatment center who can communicate with Family Reach on their behalf.
Find a Health Center
Contact: 877-464-4772Population served: Anyone in the U.S. in need of medical care that cannot afford it
Mission:
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which helps tens of millions of Americans get affordable health care and other help through HRSA programs.
- Find a Health Center - Health Centers provide primary medical and dental care to people of all ages, whether or not they have health insurance. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale, based on your ability to pay.
- Find Free or Reduced Cost Care at Hill-Burton Obligated Facilities - About 200 hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities across the U.S. are required to provide a specific amount of free or reduced-cost health care to people unable to pay
- HIV/AIDS Care Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs connect people living with HIV/AIDS health care and support services
- Eligibility for free or reduced cost care depends on income and whether or not you have health insurance.
First Hand Foundation (FHF)
Contact: 816-201-1569Population served: Children 18 years of age or younger, or 18 to 21 years of age if the applicant is in a child-like mental state, worldwide
Other language(s): SpanishMission:
To provide funding for individual children with health-related needs when insurance and other financial resources have been exhausted.
FHF provides funding for clinical necessities (such as medication, therapy and surgery), medical equipment and travel related to a child's care. Included are:
- Treatment: clinical procedures, medicine, therapy, prosthesis, etc.
- Equipment: wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc.
- Displacement: lodging, food, gas, parking and transportation for families of seriously ill children who must travel during treatment
- Vehicle modifications: lifts, ramps and transfer boards.
Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation
Contact: 786-505-3914Population served: Families whose child is under the age of 21 and diagnosed with a pediatric cancer before age 18
Mission:
To be a leader in childhood cancer research and advocacy while providing financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling cancer.
- Provides financial assistance for a variety of needs to pediatric cancer families while the child is undergoing treatment; social worker from treatment facility must apply on behalf of the family
- Works with funeral homes to provide assistance towards memorial costs for children whose battle with cancer has ended
- Funds pediatric cancer research.
Medicare
Contact: 800-633-4227Population served: People age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)
Other language(s): Spanish, French, American Sign Language, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Haitian Creole, Italian, Polish, PortugueseMission:
Provides government-funded healthcare coverage to specific populations of need. It may include both medical and drug coverage. Medicare is divided into the following parts:
- Part A Hospital Insurance helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits. Most people don't pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.
- Part B Medical Insurance helps cover doctors' services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A doesn't cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.
- Part C Medicare Advantage Plan - These are plans approved by Medicare and run by private companies that provide Part A and Part B coverage, and may offer extra coverage (such as vision, hearing, dental) and may include Part D prescription drug coverage.
- Part D Prescription Drug Coverage – Part D provides coverage to enrollees for brand-name and generic prescription drugs. Patients must elect and enroll in a plan and generally pay a monthly premium and yearly deductible.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: All individuals in the U.S.
Mission:
To improve dental, oral and craniofacial health
- The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is the federal government’s lead agency for scientific research on dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease. It provides an online list of possible resources for finding low-cost dental care.
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD)
Contact: 203-744-0100 or 800-999-6673Population served: Patients in the U.S. with rare diseases
Mission:
NORD is leading the fight to improve the lives of rare disease patients and families. We do this by supporting the rare community – its people and organizations – and by working together to accelerate research, raise awareness, provide direct assistance and drive public policy.
- Administers Patient Assistance Programs to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford
- The Patient Information Center provides information on thousands of rare disorders and resources
- The Rare Caregiver Respite Program offers limited financial assistance to eligible caregivers so that they can take a break from caregiver responsibilities
- Hosts regional and national meetings for patients and families
- Works collaboratively with a growing roster of member organizations.
New Eyes
Contact: 973-376-4903Population served: Individuals in the US without the resources to obtain eyeglasses
Mission:
To provide eyeglasses to individuals in need
- Provides a basic pair of single or lined bifocal eyeglasses to individuals with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Social workers or health advocates may apply on a person’s behalf. Individuals financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and without a professional to assist them may apply directly themselves. Call or see website for additional details.
Starkey Hearing Foundation
Contact: 866-354-3254; Hear Now Program 800-328-8602Population served: People with hearing loss; teachers, health professionals
Mission:
To bring understanding among people through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment, so the world may hear.
- Works directly with those suffering from hearing loss by providing them with access to hearing aids and hearing care
- U.S. citizens may apply to the Hear Now program, a program of last resort, for assistance with obtaining hearing aids. The current non-refundable processing fee with the application is $125 per hearing aid requested.
- Accepts hearing aid donations and conducts international missions to donate hearing aids.
Survivorship A to Z, Inc.
Contact: Website onlyPopulation served: People living with cancer or HIV/AIDS and their caregivers, health professionals
Mission:
To provide people with a life challenging condition such as cancer or HIV/AIDS with all the practical, legal and financial information they need through the entire continuum after a diagnosis.
- Online resource for information about employment, insurance, finances, government programs, day to day living, medical care, planning ahead, emotional well-being.
Sy's Fund
Contact: WebsitePopulation served: Young adults ages 18-39 in the US who are receiving medical care for cancer or severe medical issues related to their cancer
Mission:
To assist young adults who are facing the challenges of cancer by funding their creative passions, pursuits, and hobbies as well as integrative therapies.
- May help young adult cancer patients with funding for integrative therapies such as massage, reiki, acupuncture, etc. May also provide meaningful gifts (e.g. art supplies) to pursue creative goals.
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation
Contact: 302-563-8389Population served: Families of children with cancer in the U.S.
Mission:
To fund research to find cures for childhood cancers and treatment protocols; to provide financial assistance to families of children with cancer nationwide.
- Provides grants to minimize the financial hardship that is directly attributable to the child’s illness; application form and eligibility criteria available on website.
The Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation
Contact: 212-838-3029 or 800-365-1336Population served: Transplant patients and families, caregivers, survivors in the US
Mission:
To improve the quality of life for cancer and transplant patients and their families by providing vital financial assistance, comprehensive resources, educational information, physician referrals, and emotional support programs.
- Patient Navigators provide guidance and support to anyone faced with a cancer diagnosis or needing a bone marrow or hematopoietic cell transplant
- Lifeline Fund provides financial support to help cover the costs of donor searches, medications, home and child care services, medical equipment, transportation, cord blood banking, housing costs and other expenses associated with transplant
- Carelines provides social media tools for crowdfunding, journaling and a volunteer task calendar for anyone with a cancer diagnosis or receiving a bone marrow, stem cell or cord blood transplant
- Scholarship Grants help make educational aspirations a reality for bone marrow, stem cell or cord blood transplant survivors
- Clinical Care Counseling provides confidential individual and family supportive counseling, financial guidance and resource referrals for cancer, transplant patients, and family members
- Ask the Expert enables individuals to anonymously pose questions concerning transplantation and to have them answered by transplant specialists
- SupportLine links transplant patients and their families with volunteers who have gone through the transplant experience
- Support Groups provide patients, families and caregivers the opportunity to share experiences and draw support from one another
- Medical and Educational Handbooks provide comprehensive transplant information and resources
United Healthcare Children's Foundation
Contact: 1-855-698-4223Population served: Children age 16 and younger, who have commercial health insurance.
Mission:
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is a non-profit charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of children’s lives through much needed medical grants. These medical grants help improve access to medical services and items that are not covered, or not fully covered, by a family’s current commercial health insurance plan. Besides being 16 years old or younger and covered by a commercial health insurance plan, a child must be diagnosed with a current or ongoing medical need, be receiving treatment by a qualified medical practitioner in the US and meet certain financial criteria to qualify.