Local Financial Assistance Program (LFA)

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 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.
   
• 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
• 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.