30+ Financial Resources for Lung Cancer Patients

Written by Karen Selby, RN | Edited By Amy Edel

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Asbestos-related lung cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, both emotionally and financially. Patients face high medical costs for treatments, medications, travel and other expenses. But financial aid options are available for people with lung cancer to help them access the support they need.

You may be able to get help from free government grants for cancer patients to pay for treatment and care. For example, the VA offers lung cancer care to veterans. Social Security Disability Insurance provides monthly income. Medicare and Medicaid offer discounted cancer insurance.  

Housing Assistance Resources

Lodging is a common cost associated with lung cancer treatment that people often forget. In some cases, it adds more unnecessary stress for patients. This is the reality for many families who are coping with cancer. However, there are a number of different resources available to help cover housing costs for families while their loved one receives treatment.

1. Healthcare Hospitality Network

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Patients and families

The Healthcare Hospitality Network is an association of close to 200 nonprofit organizations that provide housing assistance to cancer patients and their families. Its members include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society. HHN prides itself on creating supportive communities through its hospital hospitality houses. These homes are often free or significantly reduced in price to help ease the financial burden and stress that lung cancer can cause.

2. American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Patients and caregivers

Similar to HHN, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge is a free housing service for when a lung cancer patient’s best treatment option is located in a different city. There are more than 30 Hope Lodge sites across the United States and Puerto Rico. A goal of Hope Lodge is to create a living environment where patients can solely focus on their treatment needs.

3. Joe’s House

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Patients, families and caregivers

Ann W. Calahan, founder of Joe’s House, experienced the difficulties of finding a place to stay firsthand when her husband battled cancer. Joe’s House aims to streamline the reservation process and make finding a home near cancer treatment centers easier through its established relationships with hotels and lodging facilities. It’s important to note that Joe’s House doesn’t provide financial assistance. However, many of its partners provide discounts for people with lung cancer.

Travel Resources

It’s common for people fighting lung cancer to travel to another state to receive the best care. This makes air travel a necessity for many families. From volunteer-based charities to donated seats on commercial flights, there are organizations ready to help.

4. Air Care Alliance

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients who need air travel to treatment

Air Care Alliance is a nonprofit organization that supports volunteer-based charities through its vast referral system. This referral system can connect lung cancer patients to volunteer pilot organizations that offer free air travel to medical treatment facilities.

5. American Cancer Society Road To Recovery program

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients without transportation or those who cannot drive themselves

The American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program transports cancer patients to and from treatment with the help of American Cancer Society volunteer drivers. In some instances, a caregiver may be required to join a lung cancer patient. For example, patients who are under the age of 18 need a caregiver. It’s important to note that it could take many business days to schedule a ride, so plan in advance.

6. Angel Flight East

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Children and adults with cancer

Angel Flight East is a nonprofit that facilitates free air travel for those who are seeking treatment far from home. This organization serves the Northeast U.S., but can connect people with lung cancer to other volunteer pilot organizations outside the Northeast region. These volunteer pilots use their personal aircrafts and cover all the air transportation expenses.

7. Corporate Angel Network

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Children and adults with cancer

Many airfare resources are facilitated through private planes. However, Corporate Angel Network flies lung cancer patients to treatment facilities at no cost on both private and corporate planes. In fact, the organization reports helping more than 60,000 patients since 1981. The group’s website notes that eligibility isn’t based on financial need, unlike some resources.

8. Lazarex Cancer Foundation

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: FDA clinical trial patients

One of Lazarex Cancer Foundation’s programs is the Care Program. The Care Program assists patients in financing a variety of travel costs and methods such as airfare, rental cars, gas and parking. For example, one subprogram called “Fueling Hope” reimburses patients’ gas, parking and tolls when driving to clinical trials. An added benefit of the Care Program is that it provides funding for a travel companion. This helps people with asbestos lung cancer feel supported emotionally and financially.

9. LifeLine Pilots

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: People with medical and humanitarian needs

Another resource that offers free air transportation for lung cancer patients is LifeLine Pilots. LifeLine Pilots was founded in 1981 and has flown more than 5 million charitable miles. LifeLine Pilots operates with volunteer pilots who are willing to donate all of a charitable flight’s expenses. If you live in the Midwestern region of the U.S., this resource may be a great fit.

10. Mercy Medical Angels

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Ambulatory patients

From private and commercial flights to gas cards and train tickets, Mercy Medical Angels provides assistance for a number of transportation needs. The organization is able to execute more than 20,000 free trips nationwide every year. Mercy Medical Angels is a great resource for asbestos lung cancer patients who are ambulatory and require no medical care en route.

Medication and Treatment Resources

The cost of asbestos-related lung cancer treatment can devastate families. If you’re overwhelmed and wondering how you’ll be able to afford a large copay or insurance premium, there are resources available that could provide the financial assistance you need.

11. Dental Lifeline Network

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Medically fragile patients

Asbestos-related lung cancer can unexpectedly rattle your budget and savings. This can leave some people financially insecure with other routine medical services, such as dental care. Dental Lifeline Network provides donated dental services and education to people who are unable to afford it and are medically fragile. The organization’s Donated Dental Services program includes a cohort of 15,000 volunteer dentists and has impacted more than 120,000 lives. Find out if you qualify for free dental care with its state programs database.

12. Good Days

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients and their families

Good Days is an independent nonprofit organization that provides financial aid to cancer patients. The organization’s services include copay, travel, premium and diagnostic testing assistance. Its Premium Assistance program was designed for patients who need help financing their medical insurance premiums. Good Days can make payments toward a lung cancer patient’s monthly premium costs as well as premiums for family members.

13. NeedyMeds

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients

NeedyMeds is a registered nonprofit and source of information on drug company financial assistance programs. However, there are some programs that are unique to NeedyMeds, such as the PAPTracker and Patient Assistance Program Administration. The PAPTracker helps people with lung cancer streamline the application process for assistance programs. This can be particularly useful to save time and get help faster.

14. Patient Access Network Foundation

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Underinsured people

High out-of-pocket health care costs shouldn’t discourage anyone with asbestos-related lung cancer from seeking treatment. The PAN Foundation awards grants to patients on a rolling, 12-month basis. The nonprofit gives patients flexibility to make changes to their covered medication, health care providers and pharmacies without altering their grant eligibility. As a result, PAN has been able to provide $3 billion in financial assistance since 2004.

15. Accessia Health

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients

Accessia Health, formerly known as Patient Services Inc., is a nonprofit patient assistance organization. Some services the group provides include ancillary, copayment, health insurance premium and travel assistance. In terms of ancillary assistance, it can help reduce mesothelioma patients’ out-of-pocket expenses for lab testing, durable medical equipment, medical visits and more.

Food Assistance Resources

Food insecurity is real. People with asbestos-related lung cancer need a healthy diet during treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if putting food on the table is a daily challenge for you. From grants to federally funded programs, support is out there and people are ready to help.

16. Meals on Wheels

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Seniors

Meals on Wheels isn’t a program specific to cancer patients, but it’s the only federally supported program that meets the nutritional needs of seniors. If you’re a senior and battling cancer, Meals on Wheels can be a great resource to help avoid unnecessary nutrition-related hospitalizations. Some meals are provided at no cost, but fees are determined on an individual basis.

17. SNAP

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Dependent on household income

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, was created to help families afford healthy food. This resource isn’t directly specific to lung cancer patients, but some can be eligible. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society reports, “A cancer patient may meet the resource and income limits for SNAP. For most individuals, the household must meet both the gross and net income limits to be eligible for SNAP benefits.”

Resources for Women and Those With Children

Infertility is a side effect of some lung cancer treatments. Thankfully, there are multiple nonprofits and charitable organizations dedicated to supporting fertility preservation. Some organizations award grants for sperm and egg freezing, specifically for cancer patients.

18. Alliance for Fertility Preservation

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients interested in fertility preservation

The Alliance for Fertility Preservation is a nonprofit charitable organization that specializes in fertility preservation for cancer patients. Unfortunately, some lung cancer treatments can cause infertility. The Alliance for Fertility Preservation connects users with financial assistance programs for fertility preservation and post-treatment family-building grants. For example, the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation’s Family Building Grant provides up to $10,000 to needy, infertile families. The grants can be used for infertility treatment or domestic adoption.

19. Camp Kesem

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Children with parents who are diagnosed with cancer

We know asbestos-related lung cancer doesn’t solely affect an individual. It can affect family members as well. Camp Kesem is a college student-driven nationwide movement and community. There are 131 chapters represented in 44 states nationwide. At Camp Kesem, kids engage in programs that connect them with other children who are going through similar experiences. All of the programming and activities are free for cancer-affected families.

20. CancerCare

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients seeking active treatment

CancerCare is an organization that provides free support services and information on the challenges of cancer, including financial and emotional challenges. CancerCare’s Financial Assistance Program offers some financial assistance for cancer-related costs like child care and transportation. The program can cover both of these costs for people with lung cancer. They also created the Co-Payment Assistance Foundation to provide specific help with managing insurance copays.

21. The Feather Foundation

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Parents with cancer

The Feather Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing financial support to parents with cancer. The Feather Foundation works with your health care provider to award a one-time $300 grant. New York and New Jersey residents are eligible for the grant and must complete an application on the organization’s website. There are also some free conversation guides to help parents with lung cancer navigate cancer-related conversations with their children.

22. Livestrong Fertility

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients

Livestrong Fertility helps cancer patients understand fertility risks and connects them with fertility preservation discounts through its vast network of partners. More specifically, the organization provides free fertility medications for women through its EMD Serono partner. Other services such as sperm and egg freezing are available for eligible lung cancer patients.

23. Team Maggie

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Men and women cancer patients

The nonprofit organization Team Maggie was founded in 2015 when Maggie Davis discovered she had breast cancer and her prescribed treatment could make her infertile. As a way to help young people without children hold onto the hope of building a family, the Team Maggie for a Cure Grant was developed. The Team Maggie for a Cure Grant can provide up to $2,500 to assist lung cancer patients looking to cover fertility preservation costs such as egg retrieval.

Resources for Low-Income Families

Having a family member diagnosed with lung cancer can be an economic challenge for a household. This can place an added burden on families navigating economic challenges. Thankfully, there are some resources that provide financial aid for medical, living and career-development costs.

24. Medicine Assistance Tool

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients, caregivers and health care providers

The Medicine Assistance Tool is a search engine the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America created. People with lung cancer, caregivers and health care providers can use MAT to find information and assistance resources from biopharmaceutical programs. Some of these programs involve a cost-sharing feature to help diminish out-of-pocket expenses. This can be a great option since each search is personalized.

25. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Low-income families

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services runs the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP targets households with low income that pay a high proportion of income for energy expenses. This program provides federally funded aid toward home energy bills and energy crises. Each state has its own unique set of rules to follow when applying for aid.

26. Healthwell Foundation

Cancer Type: Various

Who It’s For: Those who are underinsured

The Healthwell Foundation offers aid when health insurance isn’t enough, assisting with copays, premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Their Disease Funds cover a broad spectrum of illnesses, including a variety of specific cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Resources for Veterans

Financial aid can come from a variety of different communities. There are military exclusive organizations to help veterans and military families coping with asbestos-related lung cancer. This includes assistance with housing, transportation and general living expenses.

27. Army Emergency Relief (AER)

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Veterans

Army Emergency Relief is a tax-exempt nonprofit that provides zero-interest loans, grants and education scholarships to U.S. Army veterans. The AER’s loans and grants can be used to fund travel, lodging, health care for lung cancer, utilities and more.

28. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: U.S. Coast Guard families

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is an independent nonprofit charitable organization that supports the U.S. Coast Guard and its families. The CGMA has numerous programs to assist families such as education programs and family support assistance. In addition, the Coast Guard is able to provide short-term interest-free loans and financial grants that could be used to help with asbestos-related lung cancer costs.

29. Fisher House Foundation

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Military, veterans and their families

The Fisher House Foundation provides free housing for military and veteran families while a family member is in the hospital with lung cancer. According to its website, “The program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $500 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation.” Fisher House creates a space where military families can lean on each other during a shared experience such as cancer.

30. Operation Homefront

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Military families

Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping build strong military families. Through the organization’s Critical Financial Assistance program, families can gain financial support for rent payments, utility bills and food. This aid is available to all members of the military community.

31. PALS Patient AirLift Services

Cancer Type: Any

Who It’s For: Cancer patients and veterans

PALS is another nonprofit that organizes free air transportation for cancer patients who can’t afford to fly commercially. Much like other travel aid resources, volunteer pilots donate their time and aircraft for families traveling to lung cancer treatment locations. Furthermore, PALS proudly supports wounded veterans and their families with free flights.

Additional Tips and Resources

There are many resources that assist asbestos-related lung cancer patients and their families with medical, housing and other living expenses. It can be helpful to know some other ways to benefit your financial health.

Look for counseling and cash programs that pay lung cancer caregivers. These programs differ state to state, so contacting your local Medicaid office will provide more details. You can also access the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition’s database to search for options covering a variety of needs.

Talk with a social worker or financial counselor about your financial situation or any other concerns. Having these conversations early can help you develop a monthly payment plan and find further financial aid.

Stay updated on your income and expenses. This includes contacting your mortgage and utility companies to identify new payment plan options. It can also be beneficial to revisit your wants and needs. Ask yourself where you can cut back spending to allocate more cash toward medical expenses.

Connect with your community and family. Asking for money isn’t easy. However, the people who are closest to you are often an excellent source of emotional and financial support. Try starting a fundraiser with online platforms such as GoFundMe.

In addition to the many initiatives listed above, The Mesothelioma Center provides a number of free resources to families coping with asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma. Our team of Patient Advocates helps patients seeking financial aid, assistance with VA claims or legal options for compensation. Their help is always free and available throughout your lung cancer journey.

Asbestos-related lung cancer is already tough without the added financial burden. However, there are people who are on your team and ready to fight alongside you.