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The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) provides information about childhood cancer, treatment protocols, medication, and research to families with children or adolescents with cancer. Through hospital and community-based programs, local affiliates provide direct support to patients and their families. Support resources include face-to-face and online support groups, childhood cancer camps, as well as free publications and kits. Affiliates may also provide emergency financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments, car repairs, transportation, pre-paid gas cards, and groceries. More information on financial assistance is available on ACCO’s website.

Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. Government. The website, available in English and Spanish, is designed to help users find government benefit and assistance programs across multiple Federal agencies. Benefit Finder’s confidential prescreening questionnaire helps users identify which government benefits they may be eligible to receive.

The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) is a coalition of organizations that help cancer patients manage financial and practical challenges. Patients and health care providers can search the CFAC online database for cancer support organizations by diagnosis, location, and/or type of assistance. While CFAC cannot respond to individual requests for financial assistance, patients may contact member organizations directly for information and assistance.

Catholic Charities USA is a national network of agencies serving poor and vulnerable persons and families, regardless of faith. There are member agencies in nearly every state and in many U.S. territories which offer services based on the needs of the local community. Examples of services that may be available include: food banks, soup kitchens, home delivered meals, temporary shelter, transitional housing, health-related services, immigration and refugee services and counseling and mental health. Find a local agency at the link below:

Cleaning for a Reason offers free professional housecleaning for cancer patients recovering from surgery, in cancer treatment, or in hospice care. Partnering with qualified, local residential cleaning services throughout the U.S. and Canada, eligible patients are matched with cleaning companies and can receive up to two free house cleanings. Please note that service is dependent on the availability and capacity of a cleaning company in the patient’s area. Cancer patients, loved ones, or health care providers can submit an application online.

Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that helps older adults and their families access home and community-based services, including transportation, meals, home care, and caregiver support services. The goal is to provide users with the information and resources they need to help older persons live independently and safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible.

Language interpretation is available for 150 languages. Online chat is also available through their website.

Additional Resources: Brochures and Factsheets (https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Resources/ConsumerPublications.aspx

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and services to patients and caregivers. Support services include local support groups, online chat, an online patient community, and peer-to-peer support that links patients and their families with a trained volunteer who has experienced a similar situation.

Additional resources include educational programs, publications, home-care services, financial assistance, and information tailored to caregivers. Information specialists are available over-the-phone to assist with questions related to diagnosis and treatment, financial and social challenges, and support. Information is available in Spanish, with language interpretation available in 170 languages. LLS has chapter offices located throughout the United States and Canada.

The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is a voluntary health organization devoted to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and health care professionals with information on the disease. LRF’s support programs include the Lymphoma Support Network, a one-to-one peer support program that matches lymphoma patients or caregivers with volunteers who have had similar lymphoma-related experiences. Trained staff members are available to answer questions, offer individual support, and search for clinical trials on the Lymphoma Helpline and Clinical Trials Information Service. LRF’s Patient Aid Grant program provides limited assistance to lymphoma patients currently undergoing treatment for help with medical bills, transportation, temporary lodging, and childcare.

The research goals of LRF are focused on engaging and educating junior researchers and bringing together investigators focusing on specific diseases or other focal points. The Foundation has launched several special research programs, including an initiative to study mantle cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is especially challenging to treat. The Foundation advocates on behalf of the lymphoma community to increase federal funding for lymphoma research and education, and to ensure access to high-quality cancer care for every patient.

The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) provides emotional, financial and educational support to children with cancer, their families and survivors. Types of financial assistance available include emergency assistance for living expenses, travel costs related to cancer treatment, and college scholarships for childhood cancer survivors. NCCS also provides information and support during and after treatment, including information on the late effects of childhood cancer and a list of long-term follow up clinics. Please visit the website for more details about the services offered by NCCS.

The Salvation Army fulfills its mission through community and fellowship (youth camps, Kroc centers, music), rebuilding lives (missing persons, disaster relief, prisoner rehabilitation, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, fighting human trafficking), and providing comfort and support (Christmas charity, elderly services, and loneliness). You can enter your ZIP Code on their Web site to get a list of Salvation Army locations nearest to you in the United States.

The Samfund provides support for young adult cancer survivors in the United States as they recover from the financial impact of cancer treatment. Through direct financial assistance and free online support and education, the Samfund helps young adults move forward toward their personal, professional, and academic goals. Twice a year, the Samfund gives grants to survivors aged 21-39 to help with medical bills, general living expenses, and other financial difficulties. Online support and education is available through their Webinar series, "Moving Forward with Your Financial Health," Finances 101 Toolkit program, and a blog.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Social Security provides a monthly income for eligible retired persons, surviving spouses and family members, and the disabled. SSI supplements Social Security payments for aged, blind, and disabled people with little or no income. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Information on eligibility, coverage, and how to apply for benefits and file a claim is available from SSA. The SSA has a new Compassionate Allowances initiative that allows Social Security to target the most obviously disabled individuals for allowances based on objective medical information that can be obtained quickly. Information on the initiative and a list of qualifying conditions are available at the Web site located in the Additional Resources section below. Information on the SSA Web site is available in Spanish and in many other languages.

United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for a network of community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories. The United Way works to advance the common good by focusing on education, income stability, and health. Local United Way organizations create long-lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of the most significant local issues. Common focus areas include helping childhood patients and young adults achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health. Information on the Web site is available in Spanish.