The Allyson Whitney Foundation primarily provides young adult cancer patients (ages 16-36) diagnosed with a rare cancer with ‘Life Interrupted Grants™ to ease their financial burden. The grants cover a range of needs, including: current and residual medical bills, rent, utilities, car and health insurance premiums, IVF start up treatments (egg retrieval and sperm banking), integrative therapies, travel expenses, and medical hair pieces.
To be eligible, applications need to be requested by an oncology social worker, doctor’s office, or patient navigator. All applications will be verified by an AWF representative & grant committee for time of treatment and rarity (Note: most young adult cancers are considered rare). Funding is limited and only one applicant from a facility can be granted an award in one grant round year. Awardees must be prepared to submit new bills to show financial need when requested. Grants will be paid either directly to the patient or their family or directly for rent or medical bills.
The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan offers comprehensive resources and services for people affected by blood cancer. Programs provide educational resources, professionally facilitated emotional support, financial assistance for medical and non-medical expenses, social support, and a holiday toys program for pediatric patients and children of adult patients.
Michigan residents who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer or blood related disorder are eligible for BCFM services. There are no income or age requirements to enroll.
The Sprout Love Financial Assistance Fund is an initiative of the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor that aims to support the financial needs of people impacted by cancer. Assistance is provided for basic financial needs, including mortgage/rent, utilities, car payments, auto insurance, and groceries.
Applicants can request financial assistance up to $2,000 per year, per houshold. Eligible applicants must be in active cancer treatment, reside in the Cancer Support Community service area, and have a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. Application materials can be found online and emailed to sproutlove@cancersupportannarbor.org.
The Detroit Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit agency that serves older persons, adults with disabilities, and caregivers living in Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, and Grosse Point. DAAA provides information and resources related to Meals on Wheels, caregiving assistance, housing resources, transportation resources, support groups for family caregivers, utility payment assistance resources, and guidance in finding additional resources for seniors and people living with disabilities.
Initial calls typically last 15-20 minutes. Callers may be asked to provide information related to demographics, income, assets, and the level of care needed in order to determine what resources they may qualify for.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Lifeline Plan is Detroit’s water affordability plan. Participants receive an affordable fixed water bill based on household income and size and get up to 1,125 gallons of indoor water usage per household member per month. Participants receive water shutoff protection and can have past due balances erased.
To be eligible, participants must have incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, receive SNAP/FAP benefits, or be enrolled in the Water Residential Assistance Program. Applications require a photo ID, current water bill, and proof of income for the past 30 days.
Human-I-T provides a variety of free and low-cost digital support services, including internet, electronic devices, digital skills training, and tech support.
Human-I-T provides a variety of free and low-cost digital support services, including internet, electronic devices, digital skills training, and tech support.
Jill’s Wish provides grants of up to $1500 to cover non-medical living expenses for patients with newly-diagnosed or terminal breast cancer. Grant funds can be used to cover costs related to housing, utilities, and car payments.
To be eligible for a Jill’s Wish grant, applicants must be at least 18 years old; live in Michigan, Louisville, KY, Southern IN, Central Kentucky, or Cincinnati, OH; have received a breast cancer diagnosis within the previous 12 months or been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Local Financial Assistance (LFA) program provides $500 to cover the costs of non-medical expenses (e.g., transportation, housing, utilities) for blood cancer patients and their caregivers.
To be eligible for the Local Financial Assistance Program, applicants must: be a United States citizen or permanent resident and live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory; have a household income below 600% of the Federal Poverty Level, accounting for the Cost of Living Index; have a blood cancer diagnosis confirmed by a doctor, and; be in active treatment, scheduled to begin treatment, or be actively monitored by their doctor. Caregivers may also be eligible for funding. NOTE: The availability of support through the Local Financial Assistance Program is subject to funding availability.
The LLS Patient Aid Program provides financial assistance to blood cancer patients in the form of a one-time $100 stipend to offset non-medical expenses such as transportation, food, housing utilities, etc.
To be eligible for the Patient Aid Program, applicants must: live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, have a confirmed diagnosis of blood cancer and be in active treatment, scheduled to begin treatment, or in follow-up care; not have received a Patient Aid Program award in the past. There are no income criteria for the Patient Aid Program. The patient’s Social Security number or other verification of identity, blood cancer diagnosis, and physician name and location are required to complete the application.
The LLS Urgent Need Program provides eligible patients with assistance for non-medical expenses, including rent, mortgage, lodging, utilities, child care, elder care, food, transportation, car repair, car insurance, phone service, and acute dental work related to treatment. Eligible patients can receive a grant of $500 once in a 12-month period. At the end of the 12-month period, healthcare professionals can reapply on behalf of patients.
To be eligible, applicants to the Urgent Need Program must have a household income below 600% of the Federal Poverty Level, adjusted for the Cost of Living Index; be a US citizen or permanent resident; have a blood cancer diagnosis; demonstrate acute financial need. Program availability is subject to the availability of funds to support the program.
Lifeline is a federal program that provides discounted phone and internet services to low-income households. Eligible consumers receive a monthly discount of up to $9.25 and eligible consumers living on Tribal lands receive a discount of up to $34.25 per month.
Individuals can qualify for Lifeline if they have a household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines; participate in SNAP, Medicaid, or other programs; or are a survivor of domestic violence, human trafficking, or related crimes. Interested individuals can sign up online, by mail, or through their phone or internet company.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Plan (LIHWAP) provides up to $1500 in direct payment assistance for household accounts that are behind in making water payments, have been disconnected, and/or need assistance with reconnection fees. A LIHWAP payment also guarantees service for at least 90 days after receipt of payment.
To be eligible, qualified account holders must have a residential water account that is behind in payments or in disconnect status and meet income eligibility criteria, including having income below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and/or be actively receiving support through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Assistance Program (FAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), State Emergency Relief (SER), or Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI). The municipality where the the account is held must also have opted into the LIHWAP program. LIHWAP applications require ID for all household members 18 and older, proof of household income for 30 days or a categorical eligibility document, and a Social Security card.
Meredith’s Miracles is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to young adults with colon cancer. Financial assistance may help survivors pay for daily living expenses, including rent or mortgage, utilities, phone or car payments, and car insurance.
Interested individuals must be currently receiving treatment for colorectal cancer, have a demonstrated financial need, and be an adult aged 40 or under. Applications can be completed online at the Meredith’s Miracles website.
The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) provides energy assistance to low-income households. MEAP benefits include enrollment in an affordable energy payment plan, financial education, and services to help reduce energy waste.
To be enrolled in MEAP, you must first be approved for State Emergency Relief (SER). SER applications are available through MI Bridges. To apply for MEAP, you will need documentation including your most recent utility bill, identification, and pay stubs/benefit statements for all household members. MEAP assistance is subject to available resources.
The State Emergency Relief (SER) Program provides immediate help to Michigan residents facing acute financial hardship or financial emergencies that threaten health and safety. Through a combination of direct financial assistance and contracts with a network of nonprofit organizations, SER helps low-income households meet emergency needs including heat and utilities, home repairs, relocation assistance, home ownership services, and burial services.
Michigan residents can apply for State Emergency Relief through MI Bridges.
MiCAFE helps individuals apply for benefits that help them meet their basic needs, including food assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), health insurance and prescription drug coverage, and utility assistance and tax credits. Application assistance is available in person or over the phone.
Eligibility varies by program, but any Michigan senior can contact MiCAFE to determine eligibility for assistance programs.
Mission4Maureen provides financial assistance for everyday living expenses to families who are burdened by the cost of brain cancer treatment.
Financial assistance is subject to available funds. Please visit mission4maureen.org for more information.
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) provides financial assistance for non-medical costs related to ovarian cancer treatment and clinical trial participation. Financial assistance may be used towards non-medical expenses, including transportation, rent/housing/lodging, food/groceries, utilities, childcare, and home cleaning services.
Eligible individuals must have a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and currently be in active treatment or maintenance therapy, live in the United States or US territories, and have an income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
The New Day Foundation provides financial support for everyday living expenses for families facing cancer. Financial assistance can be applied to costs related to housing, food, utilities, transportation, and other expenses.
To qualify, applicants must: have a household consisting of a parent and at least one dependent, have an immediate family member in active treatment for cancer, live in Michigan, and demonstrate financial hardship and identify specific expenses for which they need assistance. New Day Foundation financial assistance applications must be submitted by a social worker or financial navigator at a hospital or cancer center. If you do not know your social worker, or your social worker is not familiar with New Day, please call for guidance.
Project Purple provides financial aid to patients in treatment for pancreatic cancer, assisting with both medical and everyday living expenses such as rent or mortgage assistance, utilities, and medical bills.
To apply for financial aid, a patient must live in the United States and be in current treatment for pancreatic cancer, experiencing post-treatment complications, or in remission and facing consistent medical care for status maintenance. Applications must be accompanied by a letter from an oncologist summarizing the pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment status as well as patient information including a photo ID, tax returns, and copies of current bills that the applicant is requesting help with. All payments are made to the lenders directly (not to the patient).
Shades of Pink Foundation is committed to easing the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis for patients in the Detroit metropolitan area. Breast cancer patients can apply for assistance with costs related to mortgage/rent payments; current property taxes; utilities; car payments, repairs, and insurance; health insurance premiums (including COBRA), and childcare costs.
To qualify for assistance, you must reside in Southeast Michigan (Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties), be in active treatment, and submit an application through your health care provider (social worker, patient advocate, oncologist, nurse, etc.).
Sisters Network is a national organization dedicated to supporting African American breast cancer survivors. The Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program provides up to $350 in financial assistance to breast cancer survivors in active treatment to help pay for housing and utilities as well as mammogram/ultrasound support for uninsured women.
Applicants must currently be in active treatment to be eligible for financial assistance. Applications are open two times per year (Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter) and may be downloaded from the Sisters Network website.
The Blue Fund provides short-term financial assistance to newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients in Michigan. Eligible patients can receive up to $1,000 a month for 1-3 months to help pay for utilities, mortage or rent, car payments and insurance, health insurance premiums, and prescription copays.
Eligible applicants must be Michigan residents within the first year of their original prostate cancer diagnosis and undergoing initial treatment. The Blue Fund considers the financial needs of applicants on a case-by-base basis. Applications are due by the 17th of each month.
THAW works with agencies across Michigan to provide emergency energy and utility help to households facing financial difficulties. THAW administers the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), as well as the Enbridge Fueling Futures Water Assistance Program, PNC Foundation Water Assistance Program, Brightmoor Energy & Water Assistance Program, and MI-WATER (Water Assistance Through Efficiency and Repairs) Program.
Assistance is available subject to available resources. Individual programs may have specific eligibility criteria. Online applications are available.
The Pink Fund provides up to $3000 in financial assistance to breast cancer patients in active treatment. Funds are used for direct bill payments (e.g., utility bills, mortgage or rent, car or car insurance, health insurance premiums).
Assistance is available to applicants who are in active treatment for a breast cancer diagnosis and who have incomes at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Additionally, patients or their spouse/partner must have been working at the time of diagnosis and be able to show a loss of income due to breast cancer diagnosis or treatment (e.g., reduced hours, leave of absence, etc.).
The Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) is a two-year program that provides funding to eligible, low-income households to assist with water bills, water conservation, and self-sufficiency initiatives.
To qualify for WRAP, applicants must have household incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, own or rent the home within the Great Lakes Water Authority service region, and be responsible for the water bill. Wayne Metro can help applicants in Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw, Macomb, Lapeer, St. Clair, Oakland, and Genesee Counties apply to the appropriate authority for WRAP assistance.
Wayne Metro supports low- and moderate-income residents throughout Wayne County, providing programs related to quality housing, food supports, utility assistance, tax preparation, financial education, and more.
Wayne Metro offers a Universal Application to identify services that clients qualify for, in addition to individual program applications.