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.
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.
California
Fully subscribedLos Angeles County CA
Eligible ZIP codes for Los Angeles County, California (PDF)Florida
OpenGreater Panhandle Area FL Pediatric
Birth to 19 years of age
Eligible ZIP codes for Greater Panhandle Area, Florida Pediatric (PDF)Indiana
Fully subscribedCentral Indiana Young Adult
20 to 39 years of age
Eligible ZIP codes for Central Indiana Young Adult (PDF)Kansas
OpenKansas City Metro Area KS Pediatric
Eligible ZIP codes for Kansas City Metro Area, Kansas Pediatric (PDF)Massachusetts
Fully subscribedEssex County MA
Eligible ZIP codes for Essex County, Massachusetts (PDF)Michigan
Fully subscribedWashtenaw County MI
Eligible ZIP codes for Washtenaw County, Michigan (PDF)Missouri
OpenKansas City Metro Area MO Pediatric
Eligible ZIP codes for Kansas City Metro Area, Missouri Pediatric (PDF)New Hampshire
OpenRockingham County NH
Eligible ZIP codes for Rockingham County, New Hampshire (PDF)New York
Fully subscribedEastern and Upstate NY Pediatric
Birth to 19 years of age
Eligible ZIP codes for Eastern and Upstate New York Pediatric (PDF)Pennsylvania
OpenNortheast and Northcentral PA
Eligible ZIP codes for Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania (PDF)Pennsylvania
Fully subscribedSouthcentral PA
Eligible ZIP codes for Southcentral Pennsylvania (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)
- Download FAQs about the program (PDF)
- Patient Financial Assistance Programs At A Glance: Provides an overview of program eligibility, assistance details, and award cycles
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.
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.