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Local Financial Assistance Program (LFA)

Contact us: (877) 557-2672 | [email protected]

Medical debt?

Learn about the Medical Debt Case Management Program

Cancer care shouldn’t be a financial burden. We’re helping patients find options to address their medical debt.

Local Financial Assistance Program 

This program is available to blood cancer patients with significant financial need. Those who qualify will receive $500 to cover the cost of non-medical expenses for the patient and caregiver, including:  

  • Transportation
  • Housing
  • Utilities
  • Child/Eldercare
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Phone
  • Acute dental work 

The following expenses are not covered: alcohol, tobacco, medical/pharmacy expenses, and international travel. 

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Eligibility criteria

State funds may have additional eligibility criteria. 

  • Have a household income that is at or below 600 percent of the U.S. federal poverty guidelines (PDF) as adjusted by the Cost-of-Living Index (COLI).  You will be asked for your zip code to determine your COLI.
  • Be a United States citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or U.S. territories.
  • Have a blood cancer diagnosis confirmed by a doctor
  • Patient must be in active treatment, scheduled to begin treatment, or is being monitored by their doctor.
  • Certain funds have an age eligibility requirement. Pediatric funds accept patients from birth to 19 years of age, Young Adult funds accept patients from 20-39 years of age. 

Available funding

  • If a fund is listed as Open, please visit the Apply Now section to apply.
  • If a fund is listed as Fully subscribed, it is at maximum capacity, serving those enrolled, and is no longer accepting applications

Changes to funds are reflected on this webpage as quickly as possible. For up-to-the-minute fund status, please call (877) 557-2672. If you started an application prior to a fund becoming fully subscribed, please continue with the application.

Alaska
Open

The Weiden Linkletter Alaska State Fund

Eligible ZIP codes for Alaska (PDF)
Arizona
Fully subscribed

Arizona State

Eligible ZIP codes for Arizona (PDF)
California
Fully subscribed

Los Angeles County CA

Eligible ZIP codes for Los Angeles County, California (PDF)
Florida
Open

Greater Panhandle Area FL Pediatric

Birth to 19 years of age

Eligible ZIP codes for Greater Panhandle Area, Florida Pediatric (PDF)
Indiana
Fully subscribed

Central Indiana Young Adult

20 to 39 years of age

Eligible ZIP codes for Central Indiana Young Adult (PDF)
Kansas
Open

Kansas City Metro Area KS Pediatric

Eligible ZIP codes for Kansas City Metro Area, Kansas Pediatric (PDF)
Massachusetts
Fully subscribed

Essex County MA

Eligible ZIP codes for Essex County, Massachusetts (PDF)
Michigan
Fully subscribed

Washtenaw County MI

Eligible ZIP codes for Washtenaw County, Michigan (PDF)
Minnesota
Fully subscribed

Minnesota State

Eligible ZIP codes for Minnesota (PDF)
Missouri
Open

Kansas City Metro Area MO Pediatric

Eligible ZIP codes for Kansas City Metro Area, Missouri Pediatric (PDF)
New York
Fully subscribed

Eastern NY

Eligible ZIP codes for Eastern New York (PDF)
New York
Fully subscribed

Eastern and Upstate NY Pediatric

Birth to 19 years of age

Eligible ZIP codes for Eastern and Upstate New York Pediatric (PDF)
New York
Fully subscribed

Hudson Valley NY

Eligible ZIP codes for Hudson Valley, New York (PDF)
Oregon
Fully subscribed

Oregon State

Eligible ZIP codes for Oregon (PDF)
Pennsylvania
Open

Northeast and Northcentral PA

Eligible ZIP codes for Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania (PDF)
Pennsylvania
Fully subscribed

Southcentral PA

Eligible ZIP codes for Southcentral Pennsylvania (PDF)
Washington
Fully subscribed

Washington State

Eligible ZIP codes for Washington (PDF)

Apply now

STEP 1: Gather the following information:

  • The patient’s demographic information (including their Social Security number and date of birth) and their contact information.
  • If the patient is a minor, you will need a guardian's Social Security number as well.
  • The name of the diagnosis.
  • Household financial income.
  • The name of the treating physician and his/her phone/fax numbers.
  • This information will not be shared and is for verification purposes only.

STEP 2: Contact the program 

  • Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
  • Online Portals: Log in (24/7, Available in English only)
  • By Phone: (877) 557-2672

Changes to funds are reflected on this webpage as quickly as possible. For up-to-the-minute fund status, please call (877) 557-2672. If you started an application prior to a fund becoming fully subscribed, please continue with the application.

Certain funds have an age eligibility requirement. Pediatric funds accept patients from birth to 19 years of age, Young Adult funds accept patients from 20-39 years of age

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Contact information

Blood Cancer United
Local Financial Assistance
PO Box 12268
Newport News, VA 23612
Toll Free Number: (877) 557-2672
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (877) 267-2932

Program support

We are a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporate contributions to advance its mission. Program support is made possible by:

  • Adam and Carolyn Neary, Cure One
  • Alfred E. Mann Charities
  • AllOne Foundation
  • CareSource
  • Communities Foundation of Abilene
  • JDBrooks
  • Omeros
  • Rick and Diana Ostroff
  • Rogers Family Foundation
  • Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community
  • The Dallas Foundation
  • The Edward G. & Kathryn E. Mader Foundation
  • The Erie County PA LFA
  • Todd Kletter
  • Troon Foundation
  • W. B. & Ellen Gordon Stuart Trust
  • Weiden-Linkletter Family

 

Important information

  • FIRST COME FIRST SERVE: Awards are based on a first-come first-served basis, for as long as funding is available. Submitting the application doesn't guarantee acceptance into the program. Your application will be reviewed, and you will be notified of your status.
  • FREEDOM OF CHOICE: You have complete freedom to choose doctors, providers, suppliers, insurance companies, and treatment-related medications. You can make changes to these at any time without affecting your continued eligibility.
  • AVAILABLE FUNDING: As a non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of our sponsors. Program continuation is dependent on the availability of funds and the program could be modified or discontinued at any time if funding is limited or no longer available. Please visit our website in the future to become aware of new funding.
  • UPDATE DUE TO COVID-19: For new applicants, in the event that you are unable to get your doctor to sign off on the Diagnosis Verification Form for your application, we will accept a portion of your electronic medical record (EMR) or other documentation that shows the diagnosis/ICD-10 code. Please note, that this is a temporary workaround given the national health emergency.
  • PATIENT ASSISTANCE BENEFITS & TAXABLE INCOME: As a charity, BCU is exempt from federal income tax and individuals who receive assistance from a charity to meet their personal needs do not generally have to pay federal income tax on the value of the assistance they receive. With this being said it should not affect their ability to receive financial assistance from the government or affect their income taxes.

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer has a story. Share yours. 

How has this program helped you?  Let us know how the financial assistance provided by Blood Cancer United has helped you. Patient stories like yours illustrate the impact and importance of this program in the lives of blood cancer patients.

Share your story 

See all stories.

Blood Cancer United resources

Find free, specialized guidance and information for every type of blood cancer, request financial support, find emotional support, and connect with other members of the blood cancer community.

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.
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