Housing (29)
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge — Seattle
Free temporary housing for cancer patients traveling for treatment in the Seattle area.
Cancer Lifeline Housing Program
Assistance finding affordable housing options during cancer treatment in Washington.
Ronald McDonald House — Seattle
Housing for families of children receiving cancer treatment at Seattle Children's Hospital.
WA State Housing Finance Commission
Programs to help with rent and mortgage payments during medical hardship.
Habitat for Humanity — Seattle/King County
Home modifications and repairs for cancer patients with accessibility or safety needs.
Fred Hutch — Behnke Family House
80-unit lodging facility near Fred Hutch with kitchenettes for cancer patients during treatment.
Fred Hutch — Pete Gross House
70-unit apartment building for patients recovering from bone marrow or stem cell transplants.
UW Medicine — The Collegiana
28-room hospitality house near UW Medical Center for patients and families during treatment.
Hopelink — Housing Assistance
Rental assistance, deposit help, and utility aid for low-income residents in North and East King County.
Housing Hope — Snohomish County
Affordable housing, rental assistance, and emergency shelter for Snohomish County residents.
Solid Ground — Seattle
Tenant counseling, rental assistance, and transitional housing for low-income Seattle residents.
Sound — Veteran Services
Sound’s Veterans Services provide a continuum of outreach, treatment, housing and residential rehabilitation for veterans and their families from all major branches of the military.This program...
King County Regional Homelessness Authority — Regional Access Points for Young Adults (Non-Parenting)
Young adults between 17 and 24 years old who are experiencing homeless in King County or are at imminent risk of being homeless within 14 days can access King County's Coordinated Entry for All...
Washington Department of Social and Health Services — Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA)
Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA) provides alternative assistance for families who have a short term need and do not wish to receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) assistance.
Wellspring Family Services — Housing Services
Wellspring Housing Services helps individuals, couples and families in King County locate and maintain housing, and can also assist clients at risk of eviction.Services included:- Case Management-...
United Way of King County
United Way of King County provides rental assistance to qualifying King County households in need.This program provides:- Rental AssistanceDue to limited funding, the program is not able to serve...
Vine Maple Place — Stable Families Program
The Stable Families Program is a client-focused homeless assistance program that is offered to single-parent families in South King County. Their approach offers safety, provides stability, and...
St. James Episcopal Church — Outreach Ministry Assistance Program
The Outreach Ministry provides low-income Kent residents and the homeless and elderly with basic necessities among other supportive assistance.Types of assistance we offer to those in need:- Food-...
Salvation Army - King County — Bill Pay Assistance
Salvation Army helps struggling families and individuals avoid falling into the cycle of crisis by supplementing their income with utility, rent and other vital payments. This assistance often...
YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish — Housing Stability Project of King County
Housing Stability Project is a program designed to help families and individuals who are in a short-term crisis that has been resolved or is close to a resolution but has left the household...
YWCA Seattle King Snohomish — Homeless Prevention
YWCA, in partnership with King County Housing Authority, coordinates a consortium of service providers for people with disabilities. Consortium partners receive a small allocation of Section 8...
Renton Housing Authority — HUD Public Housing Program
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types,...
King County Housing Authority — Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
The King County Housing Authority administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) program. The HCVP program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income...
King County Housing Authority — HUD Public Housing Program/Subsidized Housing
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. KCHA owns and manages more than 70 subsidized...
Salvation Army - East King County — Bill Pay Assistance
Salvation Army helps struggling families and individuals avoid falling into the cycle of crisis by supplementing their income with utility, rent and other vital payments. This assistance often...
Multi-Service Center (MSC) — Employment Program
The Multi-Service Center (MSC) works with adults at all stages of job readiness to support them in their career goals. Through training, case management, and individualized employment plans,...
Muslim Housing Services (MHS) — Homelessness Prevention
MHS provides short-term assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless.This program provides:- Emergency payments
Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) — Day 1 program
ReWA’s Day 1 program offers rental and tuition assistance while you retrain for your career.This program provides:- Career Coaching- Short-term rental and tuition assistance- Re-train and...
Reclaim — Motel-Based Shelter Program
Reclaim's Shelter to Home program provides a pathway to long-term housing in a supportive environment that meets your immediate needs with compassion and respect.This program provides:- Temporary shelter
Food (50)
Northwest Harvest
Statewide food bank network providing free groceries to patients and families.
Meals on Wheels — King County
Home-delivered meals for homebound cancer patients in greater Seattle.
Fred Hutch Patient Nutrition Program
Specialized nutrition counseling for patients receiving treatment at Fred Hutch.
Cancer Nutrition Consortium — WA
Free nutrition counseling and meal planning for patients undergoing treatment.
Chicken Soup Brigade (Lifelong)
Home-delivered medically tailored meals and groceries for people with serious illnesses including cancer.
Providence Swedish Cancer Institute — Nutrition
Registered dietitians provide personalized nutrition support to cancer patients during treatment.
Food Lifeline — Western WA
Supplies food to 350+ food banks across Western Washington helping families facing hunger.
Overlake Cancer Center — Nutrition (Bellevue)
Cancer-trained nutritionists help patients learn about nutrition before, during, and after treatment.
UW Medicine Nutrition Clinic
Nutrition counseling and dietary guidance through registered dietitians at UW Medical Center.
Familyworks Family Resource Center and Food Banks
The FamilyWorks Food Banks are dedicated to providing fresh, healthy food to people and families in our community who are experiencing hunger or are in danger of experiencing hunger. Our caring...
El Centro de la Raza
El Centro de la Raza’s Food Bank is open to all. In an attempt to ensure that we have enough food for everyone, they impose a limit on the number of weekly visits: once per week to the regular...
Byrd Barr Place — Food Bank Program
Byrd Barr Place’s Food Bank provides food and non-grocery items three days a week to Seattle residents in need. This program provides: - Food pantry Services included: - Fresh produce - Cultural...
St. Francis House — Basic Needs Assistance
St. Francis House serves the homeless and working poor of King County. No one is turned away. This program serves anyone in need with: - Food - Clothing - Household items - Hygiene kits No...
University District Food Bank — Walk In Food Pantry
University District Food Bank offers a walk-up pantry to individuals and families that need it the most. This program offer a balance of food choices across a healthy eating spectrum and tries to...
North Helpline
North Helpline Food Bank provides food pantry services once each week, during their distribution hours. Homeless clients can receive up to one No Cook Bag per day. No one is turned away.
Northwest Harvest — SODO Community Market
SODO Community Market provides free pre-bagged produce, prepared foods, and shelf-stable groceries right at the door to anyone in need.Services include:- Food to meet the basic nutritional needsIf...
Salvation Army - Seattle Temple Corps — Greenwood Food Bank
The Greenwood Food Bank distributes food to community members in need. This program provides: - Food to meet nutritional needs
Immanuel Community Services
Immanuel Community Services addresses the needs of low-income individuals and households that lack a reliable access to affordable, nutritious food and may experience hunger on a regular basis.We...
Byrd Barr Place — Energy Assistance
Byrd Barr Place administers the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help Seattle households pay for electric, gas, wood, propane and oil heating and Puget Sound Energy’s...
Storehouse — The Storehouse
The Storehouse is a non-profit, food distribution program for families in the greater Covington area. They partner with local businesses, churches, civic groups, and schools to ease the burdens of...
United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance (UTOPIA) — UTOPIA WA MAKEKI(Communnity food pantry)
The Community Food Pantry (Makeki) is available for anyone who needs non-perishable food items. The food can be limiting so that everyone can access to what we have available, also there are no...
Kent Food Bank — Food Pantry
The Kent Food Bank provides supplemental groceries individuals and families in need in the community. This program provides:- Food to meet nutritional needsPlease bring your own bags and/or boxes...
Des Moines Area Food Bank — Food Pantry
The Des Moines Area Food Bank provides food support to those who need in the cities of Des Moines, most of SeaTac, and the West Hill of Kent, Washington. We provide:- Nutritious foodClients may...
Plateau Outreach Ministries
The food pantry provides quality food items to households experiencing food insecurity. This program provides:- Food to meet basic nutritional needsAnyone experiencing food insecurity can visit weekly.
Salvation Army - East King County — Food Distribution
Eastside Corps of the Salvation Army provides assistance with food to families and individuals facing poverty often must make the painful choice between paying their bills or paying for food....
Renewal Food Bank — Food Pantry
Renewal Food Bank provides food to the most vulnerable in our community without regard to person’s religious beliefs, gender, or cultural or ethnic background. All are welcome.This program...
St. Stephen The Martyr — Food Bank Ministry
St. Stephen The Martyr's food pantry provides food, personal care items, and basic household items for parishioners, homeless and all people living within our parish boundaries. These critical...
Margie Williams Helping Hands Center — Food Pantry
Margie Williams Helping Hands Center's food pantry provides quality food items to households experiencing food insecurity. This program supplies critical nutrition to hungry individuals and...
Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) — Food Pantry
ACRS distributes foods that cater to Asian American and Pacific Islander diets, including healthy and nutritious staples like rice, tofu, soy milk, noodles, canned proteins and produce.
Hopelink - Bellevue Service Center — Food Pantry and Emergency Services
Our Food Pantry and Emergency Services program is available weekly to individuals struggling with food insecurity or are in need of nutritional assistance.This program provides:- Food to meet the...
IDIC Filipino Senior And Family Services
IDIC Filipino Senior And Family Services provides a Food book for those with limited or no income, who simply have fallen on hard times or recently unemployed and need assistance to make ends...
Canyon Hills Community Church — Food Pantry
CHCC accepts applications from those residing in Bothell, Lynnwood, Kenmore, Mill Creek, those with 98208 & 98296 zip codes, as well as anyone who has a child in the Northshore School District...
Hope Creek — Mill Creek Community Food Pantry
Our food pantry serves everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the...
Lynnwood Food Bank — Grocery Distribution
Lynnwood Food Bank provides groceries to families and individuals in the City of Lynnwood. Families may come to the Food Bank every other week to receive services.We provide:- Canned and dry...
Auburn Senior Activity Center — Senior Savers Pantry
At the Senior Savers Pantry you can shop for low-cost foods twice a month. Food is purchased in bulk or quantity at low prices and re-package them into individual sizes, passing the savings on to...
Messiah Lutheran Church — Food Pantry
Our food pantry serves everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the...
The Auburn Food Bank — Food Bank Services
The Auburn Food Bank provides supplemental groceries to individuals and families in need of assistance in our community. Services incude:- Food to meet basic nutritional needs
Federal Way Senior Center
Our Food Bank serves everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else in need of our assistance.Services...
Multi-Service Center (MSC) — Food Distribution
Multi-Service Center (MSC) offers supplemental and emergency food to individuals and families. MSC combats food security in several ways to ensure community needs are met. This program provides:-...
Multi-Service Center (MSC)
Multi-Service Center offers supplemental and emergency food to individuals and families who live in the bounds of the Federal Way School District.This program provides:- Food to meet basic...
Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington (CCSWW) — Shelter & Homeless Services - Emergency Assistance
Emergency Assistance program helps families, single adults, seniors, and people with disabilities with a variety of emergency and basic needs. This program provides:- Rental Assistance and...
St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King County — SVdP Food Bank
Georgetown Food Bank provides supplemental groceries to individuals and families in need of assistance in their community through their choice model system. This procedure allows neighbors to...
Issaquah Food And Clothing Bank — Food Bank Program
The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank is committed to ending hunger in the community by serving families that are struggling to put food on their tables. Their goal is to provide about half of a...
Maple Valley Food Bank — Grocery Style Food Bank
The Maple Valley Food Bank works to build a healthy community free of hunger. We proudly offer a “Grocery Store” style food bank and you will receive up to three visits per household, per month....
Mercer Island Youth and Family Services — Mercer Island Food Pantry
Our food pantry serves everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the...
Youth & Family Services — Family Assistance
Family Assistance provides case management and emergency assistance to low-income Mercer Island residents.Services provided include:- Emergency assistance with such basic needs such as food, rent...
Cedar Park Kenmore Church — Food Pantry
The Kenmore Food Pantry provides groceries to all those in need. Leading up to Thanksgiving we provide extra food for Thanksgiving & Christmas meals. Services: - Food pantry- Hot mealsDocuments...
Enumclaw Food Bank — Food Pantry
The food pantry at Enumclaw Food Bank provides free food to feed families and individuals who are in need. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the...
Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank — Food Pantry
Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank is supported by our community and is here to help you. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the resources to purchase it. We...
Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank — Food Distribution
The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, publicly supported organization where neighbors help neighbors in need of food assistance. We all face challenging times in our lives...
Money (43)
PAN Foundation — Cancer Programs
Financial help with copays and insurance premiums for specific cancer diagnoses.
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
Coalition connecting patients to organizations offering financial help for treatment.
WA Apple Health (Medicaid)
State Medicaid program providing coverage for qualifying cancer patients and families.
HealthPoint Community Health — WA
Sliding-scale medical services for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Northwest Hope & Healing
Immediate financial grants for breast and gynecologic cancer patients in the Puget Sound region.
HealthWell Foundation
Manages 40+ cancer assistance funds covering copays, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Fred Hutch — Financial Assistance
Financial assistance and charity care for cancer patients based on family income up to 300% FPL.
UW Medicine — Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for patients unable to pay for emergency or medically necessary care at UW Medicine.
Swedish Medical Center — Financial Assistance
Free or discounted care for patients unable to afford treatment at Swedish Medical Center.
Cancer Lifeline — Financial Aid
One-time grants up to $450 for rent, utilities, food, and copays for low-income cancer patients.
United Churches Emergency Fund — Financial Assistance
United Churches Emergency Fund offers financial assistance to low income households who need help paying housing related expenses. This service helps families weather temporary financial...
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) — Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP)
Puget Sound Energy's Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP) provides help with paying electric or natural gas bills to qualified residential customers. This program provides:- Assistance paying for...
International Community Health Services (ICHS) — International Community Health Services
In 1973, ICHS opened as a small, storefront clinic in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, providing health services for low income Filipino and Chinese elders and immigrant families.Today,...
Sound Generations — Volunteer Transportation
Volunteer Transportation Service (VTS) helps King County seniors get to vital medical appointments within King County. Our amazing group of volunteers use their personal vehicles to transport...
Teen Feed — Service Links for Youth (SLY)
Email us to make an appointment! ([email protected]). SLY is a youth-centered case management program that focuses on building relationships to help young adults identify and achieve...
King County Public Health — Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
The Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Food Program (WIC) is designed to promote healthy food habits to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women and infants and children birth...
Professional Medical Corp — Medical Supplies
Professional Medical Corp provides medical supplies to members of our community. We believe in choice, dignity and extreme customer care. Services include: - Medical supplies - Durable Medical...
King County Regional Homelessness Authority — Regional Access Points
Regional Access Points (RAPs) are an entry point to King County's Coordinated Entry for All system, which ensures that all households experiencing homelessness have equitable access to housing...
El Centro de la Raza — Financial Empowerment
Financial Empowerment provides our participants the information and skills needed to improve credit, reduce debt and increase savings. In addition to personalized, one-on-one financial and credit...
Salvation Army - Seattle Temple Corps — Bill Pay Assistance
Salvation Army helps struggling families and individuals avoid falling into the cycle of crisis by supplementing their income with utility, rent and other vital payments. This assistance often...
Kent United Methodist Church — Shared Bread Emergency Assistance
Kent United Methodist Church's Shared Bread Emergency Assistance program helps Kent residents pay for their utilities, rent, or water bills.We provide:- Financial assistanceClients are able to...
St. James Episcopal Church — Thrift Shop
St. James Episcopal Church's Thrift Shop provides used goods to community members in need. This program provides:- Household goods (kitchen, bath, décor, small appliances, totes, furniture)-...
Pregnancy Aid of Washington State — Pregnancy Resource Center
Pregnancy Resource Center provides materials and assistance for pregnant women and children in the community.This program provides:- Layettes for infants- Car seats and strollers- Maternity...
Mien International Enrichment Network (MIEN) — Digital Equity Project
The Mien International Enrichment Network (MIEN) provides the Digital Equity project for Iu Mien families who need support accessing the digital resources they need to be connected and stay...
Shield HealthCare — Home Medical Supply
Shield HealthCare helps people with a need for disposable medical products live comfortably at home and is dedicated to fulfilling the medical supply needs of consumers and the caregiving...
Nurturing Expressions — Postpartum Supplies
Nurturing Expressions helps clients navigate and use their breast pump insurance benefits and provides breastfeeding, lactation, and pumping education. This program also operates three local...
Bellevue Lifespring — Emergency Rent Assistance
Bellevue LifeSpring can help pay your rent or provide other emergency financial support in your time of need. If you are experiencing an unexpected bill or expense that is impacting your ability...
Hopelink of Washington State — Energy Assistance - Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP) assists eligible low-income households reduce their home energy costs or avoid...
The Pink Daisy Project — Breast Cancer Assistance
This program covers residents of All 50 states.
Associa Cares — Disaster Assistance
This program covers residents of All 50 states.
College Success Foundation — Rally for College
The Rally for College program provides the support and guidance students need to successfully navigate their last two years of high school and prepare for a successful college experience. Advisors...
Homage Senior Services — Transportation Assistance Program (TAP)
Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) provides safe and reliable transportation for older adults and people with disabilities who live outside the Dial-A-Ride-Transportation (DART) service area....
Hope for the Warriors — Critical Needs Program
Delays in disability claims processing, loss of income, homelessness, need for increased care due to injury progression, and unexpected expenses can create financial burdens for families. The...
Green River College — The Basic Food Employment and Training program (BFET)
The Basic Food Employment & Training program (BFET) is a partnership between Green River College and the Department of Social Health Services (DSHS) to provide funding assistance for education and...
Multi-Service Center (MSC) — Energy, Water, Sewer, and Cooling Assistance
Multi-Service Center’s Energy Assistance Program helps households in South King County meet the financial challenges of increasing energy bills, water, and sewer bills, and may be able to provide...
Multi-Service Center (MSC) — Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Multi-Service Center’s Energy Assistance Program helps households meet the financial challenges of increasing heat and light bills. They can provide assistance with bills for electricity, gas,...
Multi-Service Center (MSC) — Rental and Emergency Assistance
MSC provides one-time rent assistance and limited resources for temporary emergencies such as utility bill assistance to individuals and families living within the city limits of Auburn, Burien,...
Federal Way Community Caregiving Network (FWCCN) — Emergency Services Program
The Emergency Services Program provides partial emergency rent assistance, gasoline vouchers or bus tickets on a walk-in basis only to residents of the Federal Way School District boundaries or...
Maple Valley Food Bank — Financial Assistance
Maple Valley Food Bank is providing financial assistance with rent evictions, utility disconnects, bus passes and limited other emergency needs as funds are available to individuals and...
Neighborcare Health — Street Outreach (Homeless Medical care)
Neighborcare Health nurses partner with REACH to connect with clients at the REACH offices (Markham Building on 3rd Ave, downtown Seattle) and anywhere clients may be—under overpasses, in...
Provail — Transition Services For High School Youth
Transition program aims to help students with a disability leave school with a paid job and a seamless transition to adult life and support services. School-to-Work takes a team approach to...
Northwest Access Fund — Assistive Technology Loans
Assistive technology loans can be used to purchase any device that helps to improve the functioning of a person with a disability. Loans can also be used for assistive technology services such as...
Treasures in Heaven — Thrift Store
Treasures in Heaven Thrift Store provides gently used clothing and goods at bargain prices. Anyone is welcome to explore the store’s inventory, which is donated by the local community.
Your Rights (10)
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Protects cancer patients from workplace discrimination. Employers with 15+ employees must provide reasonable accommodations like flexible schedules, modified duties, and leave for treatment.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for serious health conditions including cancer treatment. Your employer must maintain your health insurance during leave.
WA Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
Washington State provides up to 12 weeks of PAID leave for cancer treatment, with benefits up to 90% of weekly wages. Can be used as little as one hour per week for ongoing treatments.
WA Law Against Discrimination (WLAD)
Broader than federal ADA — protects cancer patients at employers with just 8+ employees. Prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable workplace accommodations for cancer patients and survivors.
Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA)
Requires health plans that cover mastectomy to also cover breast reconstruction, prostheses, and treatment of physical complications at all stages of mastectomy.
ACA Pre-Existing Conditions Protection
The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more due to a cancer diagnosis. Marketplace plans must cover essential benefits including cancer treatment.
COBRA Continuation Coverage
Allows you to keep your employer health insurance for up to 18-36 months after losing your job or reducing hours due to cancer. You pay the full premium but maintain your coverage and doctors.
WA Clinical Trial Coverage Mandate
Washington law requires insurers to cover routine patient costs when participating in approved clinical trials for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Research costs are covered by the trial sponsor.
WA Oral Chemotherapy Parity Law
Washington requires insurance plans to cover oral anti-cancer drugs on the same terms as IV chemotherapy — same copays and coverage levels, so patients don't pay more for oral treatment.
How to Appeal an Insurance Denial
If your insurer denies a cancer treatment claim, you have the right to appeal. WA provides a free independent external review process — impartial doctors review your case.
Programs (10)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Monthly income for cancer patients too sick to work. Many cancers qualify for Compassionate Allowances for faster processing. Average monthly benefit is ~$1,500.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Monthly payments for cancer patients with limited income and resources, even without work history. 2026 maximum federal benefit is $967/month for individuals.
Medicare for Cancer Patients
Federal health insurance covering chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and prescription drugs. Part A covers inpatient treatment; Part B covers outpatient chemo and radiation (20% coinsurance after deductible).
WA Apple Health (Medicaid)
Washington's Medicaid program providing comprehensive cancer coverage — screening, treatment, prescriptions, and mental health — for low-income residents. Enrollment open year-round.
WA Breast, Cervical & Colon Health Program (BCCHP)
Free cancer screening for uninsured and underinsured Washington residents ages 40-64, including mammograms, Pap tests, and colonoscopies. Follow-up care for abnormal results included.
SNAP / Food Assistance
Monthly food benefits for low-income households. Cancer patients unable to work may qualify under disability rules. Benefits loaded onto an EBT card for groceries.
LIHEAP — Utility Assistance
Grants up to $1,000 to help low-income households pay heating and utility bills. Essential for cancer patients who need to maintain home temperature during recovery.
WA Prescription Drug Assistance (PDAF)
Helps Washington residents access cancer medications at reduced or no cost, regardless of insurance status. Assists with navigating patient assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies.
Hill-Burton Free/Reduced Care
Certain hospitals and health facilities must provide free or reduced-cost care to patients who cannot pay. Income eligibility varies by facility. Covers cancer treatment services.
WA Property Tax Exemption for Disabled
Partial or full property tax exemption for homeowners who are disabled due to cancer and meet income requirements. Can save thousands per year on property taxes.
Education (10)
Getting a Second Opinion
A second opinion confirms your diagnosis and treatment plan. You have the right to seek one, and it should not delay treatment. Ask your doctor to send medical records to another oncologist.
Understanding Cancer Staging
Cancer stages (I-IV) indicate how far cancer has spread. The TNM system measures Tumor size, lymph Node involvement, and Metastasis. Understanding your stage helps guide treatment decisions.
Questions to Ask Your Oncologist
Essential questions: What are my treatment options? What is the goal — cure, control, or comfort? What are the side effects? Should I consider a clinical trial? Bring a support person to take notes.
Finding Clinical Trials
Clinical trials test new treatments and may offer access to cutting-edge therapies. Search by cancer type, location, and trial phase at cancer.gov. Ask your oncologist if a trial is right for you.
Understanding Your Medical Bills (EOB)
An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is not a bill — it shows what your insurer paid and what you owe. Review EOBs for errors, which are common in cancer treatment billing. Request itemized bills from providers.
Hospital Financial Assistance (Charity Care)
Under the ACA, nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance programs. You can apply for reduced or free care even after receiving bills. Always ask the billing department about assistance before paying.
Caregiver Burnout: Signs and Prevention
Caregiver burnout is real — watch for exhaustion, withdrawal, irritability, and neglecting your own health. Take breaks, accept help, join a support group, and remember: you can't pour from an empty cup.
Survivorship Care Plans
After treatment ends, a survivorship care plan outlines your follow-up schedule, potential late effects to watch for, and health recommendations. Ask your oncologist for a written plan before transitioning to primary care.
Advance Directives & Healthcare Power of Attorney
Advance directives let you document your healthcare wishes in case you can't communicate them later. A healthcare power of attorney designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Returning to Work After Cancer
You have legal rights when returning to work after cancer treatment. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations, and you don't have to disclose your diagnosis to coworkers. Start with reduced hours if needed.