These agencies help cancer patients and families with mortgage issues, rent payments, utilities, legal advice related to care, and free programs to file your taxes. All assistance is free. If you find an error in any listing, let us know here.
United Way Free Tax Filing Program
Program Status: Open
Description:
Free tax filing program available for US residents who meet certain income guidelines (currently $66,000 or less for individuals). This program is offered by the United Way and provides online federal and state return filing for free. Get started here: https://www.unitedway.org/myfreetaxes/.
National Cancer Legal Services Network
Program Status: Open
Description:
Free legal services programs for people affected by cancer. Legal services programs include assisting with insurance disputes, obtaining public benefits and housing, resolving employment issues and future care issues. Please visit the provider directory online here: http://www.nclsn.org/members-directory/.
LawHelp.org
Program Status: Open
Description:
An online portal that connects you to non-profit and pro bono legal aid programs with eligibility for free services based on income and financial need. These programs provide a variety of free legal services including assistance with legal rights and self-help information. To local a free legal aid program near you, please visit the online search form here: https://www.lawhelp.org/find-help/.
Cancer Legal Resource Center
Phone: (866) 843-2572
Email: CLRC@drlcenter.org
Program Status: Open
Description:
A joint program of the Disability Rights Legal Center and Loyola Law School Los Angeles. Provides free information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, caregivers, care professionals, and others dealing with cancer. Call their toll-free Telephone Assistance Line (866-THE-CLRC) for free confidential help or complete the online intake form here: http://cancerlegalresources.org/clrc-intake-form/.
The Salvation Army
Program Status: Open
Description:
The Salvation Army provides help with utility bills, utility deposits, rent and mortgage payments, prescription medications, food, and clothing needs for families in financial need. Your local Salvation Army will have all the details. You will need to provide valid ID and other documents as part of the application process. To locate your local Salvation Army, visit http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/plugins/gdosCenterSearch?start=1.
Making Home Affordable
Program Status: Open
Description:
National, government-sponsored mortgage assistance for a variety of situations from temporary financial difficulties to long-term solutions. Programs available for all homeowners in the US experiencing financial hardship. Check out your options for immediate assistance with this free Federal program here: https://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/need-help/Pages/need-help-options.aspx.
HPF Homeowner Hotline
Email: info@995hope.org
Program Status: Open
Description:
HUD-certified counselors provide free financial counseling and options to keep your home and avoid foreclosure during times of financial difficulty. If you are a US homeowner having trouble keeping up with your payments, you can get help right now by visiting https://995hope.org/how-to-avoid-foreclosure/.
Campaign for Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
Program Status: Open
Program Note: Updated
Description:
The LIHEAP federal program helps households who cannot afford to make their home energy efficient or pay to keep their utilities running to locate local agencies who can help for free. To find the agency near you, use their lookup system here: https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/db/index.php.
This information should be printed on brochures and given out around the cancer hospitals. These can help prevent a million nervous breakdowns
Hi David,
We agree and are so happy you find the information helpful! There is so much financial stress that accompanies a cancer diagnosis. Hopefully, easy access to agencies that can help will ease some of that burden.