Free Transportation & Housing for Cancer Patients & Families
The very last thing a cancer patient should have to deal with is affording to get to and from treatment and where to stay when they get there. If you need financial help for transportation and housing while seeking treatment away from home, please know there are governmental and nonprofit agencies that provide these services free of charge to cancer patients and caregivers. From flights, to car rides and hotels to private homes, help is available at zero cost below.
Cancer is a costly disease physically, emotionally, and financially. The agencies listed here provide free transportation services and housing for those who need cancer care away from home to help make the journey a little more affordable. Both air and ground travel services are available and some of these programs even provide non-medical related help, too, like transportation to retreats and camps.
To learn more about specific eligibility and to apply for help, please visit the website link provided for each program. ❤️
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Hosts for Humanity Housing Program
Description:
National temporary housing program for cancer patients in the USA in active treatment and over 30 miles from their care center. Accommodations also allows one caregiver. Meals and transportation are not included. To apply for this program, please visit this link for the application.
Southwest Airlines Travel Grant
Description:
Southwest Airlines provides free round-trip tickets directly to nonprofit hospitals and medical transportation organizations to allow patients to travel for treatment at no cost. Please contact your oncology social worker at your treatment center if you need to travel for specialized lifesaving or life-changing medical care or visit this link to locate your hospital program from the Southwest list.
PALS SkyHope Patient Airlift Services
Description:
PALS SkyHope Patient AirLift Services is a national nonprofit that arranges free flights for medical patients requiring medical diagnosis, treatment or follow-up who cannot afford or are unable to fly commercially. Please visit this link to make a no-cost flight request.
Lifeline Pilots Transportation Program
Description:
Free air transportation for medical needs such as diagnosis, on-going treatments, follow-up care for cancer patients in the USA who cannot afford air fare and whose health prevents travel by other means. To request assistance, please visit this link or call the number above to speak with a flight coordinator directly.
Accessia Health Transportation Grant
Phone: (800) 366-7741 (9:30 AM-5:00 PM EST)
Description:
Accessia Health provides free transportation grants to cancer patients in the USA to pay for travel expenses related to cancer care. Financial assistance programs are available for both insured and uninsured patients. To find out if a disease is covered and to access its specific application for assistance, visit this link or call the phone number above for immediate assistance.
Good Days Transportation Grant
Phone: (877) 968-7233
Description:
Transportation grant for insured cancer patients in the USA in active treatment who cannot afford the travel expenses to get the care needed. Covered expenses include flights, car rentals, and lodging as needed. Income limits apply and currently applicants must not earn more than 500% of the Federal Poverty Limits. Please visit this link on their website or call the phone number above to speak to a care navigator who will work on your behalf to get you the services you need.
Healthwell Foundation Transportation Grant
Phone: (800) 675-8416
Description:
Travel and housing assistance for cancer patients in the USA in active treatment with specific cancers including bladder, colorectal, melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma, and others. Assistance varies with the program and includes both travel and housing costs. For application and eligibility information, please see this page or call the phone number above for help.
Extended Stay Housing Program
Description:
Free nationwide housing program for cancer patients in the USA living more than 40 miles from treatment with a demonstrated financial need. Eligibility is determined through the Extended Stay partnership with American Cancer Society (ACS). Once eligibility is verified by ACS, reservations can be made by the patient through a dedicated website. To apply for this no-cost housing program, please call (800) 227-2345.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Description:
Emergency Rental Assistance program with federal funds through the Department of the Treasury as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Grant funds pay for up to 18 months of housing rental costs for residents in all states in the USA with financial need. If you are having trouble paying your rent, please visit this link to locate your state program and apply online.
CTAA National Volunteer Transportation Center
Description:
National directory of volunteer non-emergency transportation services available at no cost to patients needing ground transportations to appointments. Please check this listing for a map to find a location and service near you.
Weatherization Assistance Grant
Description:
The U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Grant makes energy-efficiency repairs to low-income renters and homeowners in the USA. Grant maximum of approximately $8000 for repairs. Households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines (or 60% of state-median income) may qualify. To locate your state program and apply online for this housing repair grant, please visit this link.
HUD Emergency Solutions Grant
Description:
The HUD Emergency Solutions Grant provides help for low-income renters in the USA at immediate risk of homelessness. Includes funding for short-term rental assistance, payment of rental arrears, advance payment rental deposits, utility deposits and payments, moving costs, mediation, legal services, and more. Must have an annual income that does not exceed 50% of Area Median Income to qualify. Visit this link to locate your local program and apply online.
CSC Airbnb Housing Program
Phone: (877) 793-0498
Description:
Cancer Support Community (CSC) is a national nonprofit that, in partnership with Airbnb, offers free temporary housing to cancer patients in the USA who must travel at least 100 miles or more for treatment and have demonstrated financial need. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and need housing far from home, please call the CSC Airbnb Housing Program for assistance tollfree at (877) 793-0498.
Miracle Flights
Phone: (800) 359-1711 (M-Th 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, PST)
Email: flightspecialist@miracleflights.org
Description:
Miracle Flights provides financial help for seriously-ill children and adults to take commercial flights to receive medical care. Eligibility for this program is based on financial need and health considerations. Download the application on the Miracle Flights website here.
Hospitality Homes
Phone: (888) 595-4678
Email: program@hosp.org
Description:
Hospitality Homes provides free temporary housing for cancer patients who are receiving active treatment at least 50 miles away from home. Arrangements need advance notice so it’s best to plan ahead and get an application in well before treatment begins if possible. For current availability and program application, visit the website here.
Mercy Medical Angels
Email: info@MercyMedical.org
Description:
Provides help with all forms of free, long-distance medically-related transportation and provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help available in the national charitable medical transportation network. To complete the travel request form, visit this page on the Mercy Medical Angels website.
Corporate Angel Network
Email: info@corpangelnetwork.org
Description:
Free flights for cancer patients in need of treatment outside of the area in which they live. Travel is also available for bone marrow donors/recipients as well as stem cell donors/recipients. All travel must be to an NCI/CoC recognized center. For current program availability and to apply for help, please visit this page.
Air Charity Network
Phone: (877) 621-7177
Description:
Air Charity Network coordinates free volunteer pilot flights in the continental United States as well as Alaska and Hawaii for children and adults with medical needs. For current availability and to request a flight, please visit this page on the website.
Air Care Alliance
Phone: (888) 260-9707
Email: relief@aircareall.org
Description:
Online database of volunteer-based charitable aviation transportation groups who provide free flights for cancer patients who need treatment away from home. Search by level of care needed and geographical location. For find a program that meets your needs, please visit this link.
The American Cancer Society Lodge
Description:
Provides cancer patients and their caregivers with a free place to stay when their treatment needed is in another city. There are now more than 30 Hope Lodge locations throughout the US and Puerto Rico with accommodations and eligibility requirements that vary by location. Use the link above to locate a site. If you need further assistance, you can call the ACS at (800) 227-2345. Be sure to ask for help with the Hope Lodge program.
Healthcare Hospitality Network
Phone: (800) 542-9730
Description:
Free lodging and support services for families who must travel away from home for cancer treatment. This program has over 200 homes in its nationwide network. All services are free of charge. For more information and to find a program near you, please visit their lodging database here.
Joe's House
Phone: (877) 563-7468
Email: info@joeshouse.org
Description:
Joe’s House is a nonprofit organization that helps cancer patients and their families find a free place to stay when traveling away from home for cancer treatment. Housing is available nationwide and all at zero cost. To locate lodging in a particular area, visit the Joe’s House website here.
The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Program
Phone: (800) 227-2345
Description:
Provides free ground transportation to and from treatment for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. To learn more, visit this information page for the Road to Recovery program here or call (800) 227-2345 to find a volunteer driver near you.
More Moments More Memories Travel Grant
Description:
Clinical trial travel and housing grant for cancer patients in the USA. Eligibility is based on financial need. Applicants must earn 500% of FPL or less to qualify. The clinical trial treatment must be in the contiguous United States. Expenses covered include mileage costs for auto travel to clinical trial, airfare, or bus fare to clinical trial site, lodging cost during travel and treatment, and a per-day allowance for food during travel and treatment. To apply, please download the application here.
I am going to contact a few on this page to help with transportation. I e-mailed the site to my mother and sister as well. Please continue to share these wonderful and free ways to help cancer patients!
Hi Amber! We are so pleased to hear you are finding the help you need. And thank you for your kind comments and sharing the info we’ve posted!
I’m looking for help finding free ostomy bags I have stage 2 colon cancer n no insurance to purchase colostomy bags
Hi Rebecca,
So sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Please get in touch with the ConvaTec Ostomy Access Program. It provides uninsured or underinsured colorectal cancer patients in the USA with financial need up to 3 months of ostomy supplies per year for free. For general program information, please call 1-800-422-8811 or visit the ConvaTec Ostomy Access Program website here: https://meplus.convatec.com/articles/patient-assistance-program/.
Also, in addition to all of the general links on the site, please be sure to visit the no-cost programs specifically for colorectal cancer patients here: https://cancercarenews.com/free-cancer-specific-products-and-services/free-products-and-services-for-colorectal-cancer-patients/.
All our very best to you.