Get the Facts: Financial Assistance

Benefits Check Up is sponsored by the National Council on Aging. It provides a free, confidential, online service to see if you qualify for benefits and take the first steps toward applying. Millions of seniors and adults with disabilities qualify for—but are not enrolled in—programs that could help them pay for prescription drugs, medical care, food, or heat for their homes.

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition is a coalition of financial assistance organizations that help cancer patients facing financial challenges. They focus on education, advocacy, and providing links to resources.

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation provides guidance on insurance and benefits for individuals with disabilities, including Social Security and other federally funded resources.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a federal agency that has released resources for caregivers managing their loved one’s finances. Guides for guardians, trustees, and those with power of attorney; they outline financial management duties, ways to prevent financial exploitation, and where to turn for help. Check out their consumer tools for answers to specific financial questions.

findhelp.org: Makes it easy for people searching for help to directly find and connect with services like financial assistance, food, housing, healthcare and many other types of support available nearby. It's free, private and simple to use. Search and connect via the website or free app on Google Play.

Free Will: a new, online estate planning tool for creating a no-cost will or trust that is valid in all states. Other products include Beneficiary Designations, Advance Healthcare Directives (living will), Financial Power of Attorney, Charitable Stock Gifts, and Charitable Crypto Gifts.

Good Days: non-profit advocacy organization that provides resources for life-saving and life-extending treatments to people in need of access to care. Millions go without life-changing treatments, simply because of cost. We exist to support those in need by offering assistance with co-pays, and costs for medical treatment-related travel, insurance premiums, and diagnostic testing. Contact them online via live chat or call (877) 968-7233.

Healthcare Hospitality Network: nationwide professional association of nearly 200 non-profit “hospitality houses.” Ranging in size from small homes to those with over 100 guest rooms, these hospitality houses provide free or significantly reduced cost lodging to patients and their families while receiving medical care away from their home communities. Search for lodging.

HUD Homeowner Help: HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are available to provide mortgage assistance and information you need to avoid foreclosure. Call 888-995-HOPE

InjuredCallToday: patient-advocate organization that helps to connect patients with physicians who specialize in treating accident-related injuries. The Medicine Program describes various medication-focused financial assistance programs and provides information on how to get free and low-cost prescription medicine.

Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT): search engine designed to help patients, caregivers, and health care providers learn more about the resources available through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs. It provides access to more than 2,500 medicines 475 patient assistance programs and helps qualified patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many will get their medications free or nearly free. Call: 888-477‑2669.

National Council on Aging helps older adults who are “house rich but cash poor” to explore how to use their home equity wisely, and what other community living options may be available.

Need Help Paying Bills: organization that provides information on financial assistance programs and social services across the US. Struggling families who need help paying bills or debts; obtaining free items or free healthcare will find links to charities, churches, government assistance programs, and other organizations that offer long-term or emergency assistance.

NeedyMeds: non-profit organization that provides information on drug discount programs, state assistance, and programs that offer free or low-cost medical care. Their online database is free to use and it helps people in need to afford medications and costs related to health care. HealthStorylines™ is their free mobile self-care app that makes it easy to track and manage your health conditions. The free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card App is available for iPhone and Android.

PAN Foundation: independent, national 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases with the out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications.

Partnerships for Prescription Assistance (PPA): non-profit organization that is sponsored by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America’s (PhRMA), civic groups, and patient advocacy organizations. This free, confidential service connects low-income and uninsured patients with free or low-cost brand-name prescriptions. After a patient or patient advocate completes an online Medicine Assistance Tool, the patient is then matched with assistance programs for which they may be eligible.

Patient Advocate Foundation Program’s Co-Pay Relief Program: provides direct financial support to insured patients, including Medicare Part D beneficiaries, who must financially and medically qualify for pharmaceutical co-payment assistance.

RxHope: free information resource that helps those struggling to pay for their prescriptions. Their online list of Patient Assistance Programs is sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. Use the list to simplify the search for available assistance with the cost of a specific medication.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): helps low-income residents and families buy the food they need for good health. For more information, call your state’s SNAP hotline or 800‑221-5689.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program: provides cash assistance for families in need. Contact [email protected].

Travel Helpline: provides intake, coordination, and referral nationally, for patients needing air transportation to and from medical appointments. Call toll-free: 800-296-1217.