Housing (9)
WA State Housing Finance Commission
Programs to help with rent and mortgage payments during medical hardship.
Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) — HUD Public Housing Program
The Yakima Housing Authority owns and manages housing for low-income residents at affordable rents. The Public Housing (PH) program provides rental assistance to qualified low-income families, the...
Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) — Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) administers Housing Choice Vouchers for very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled. HCVP is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)...
Yakima County — The Veteran's Relief Fund
Yakima County's Veterans program assists qualified indigent Veterans and their family with temporary emergency financial assistance.We provide:- Financial assistanceCommonly used for:- Food-...
Sunnyside Housing Authority — Public Housing (PH)
The Sunnyside Housing Authority owns and manages housing for low-income residents at affordable rents. The Public Housing (PH) program provides rental assistance to qualified low-income families,...
Northwest Community Action Center — Housing Support Services
Northwest Community Action Center (NCAC) provides supportive housing services including move-in costs, rental assistance, and temporary motel/hotel shelter.This program provides:- Help pay for...
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic — Homeless Services
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic provides support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.This program provides:- Short-term, emergency hotel or motel vouchers- Rapid...
Northwest Community Action Center — Energy Assistance
Northwest Community Action may be able to provide up to $1,000 of your home heating costs each year. If you qualify for the program, you can receive assistance even if you are not behind on your...
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic — Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low-income households with their utility costs. Our program serves residents facing weather-related emergencies due to...
Food (19)
Northwest Harvest
Statewide food bank network providing free groceries to patients and families.
Cancer Nutrition Consortium — WA
Free nutrition counseling and meal planning for patients undergoing treatment.
Sunrise Outreach Center of Yakima — Food Pantries
The Sunrise Outreach Center 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....
Salvation Army - Yakima Corps — Food Pantry
The Salvation Army provides high-quality food items to low-income individuals and households that lack a reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. This service is ideally suited for people...
Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Yakima — Sunrise Outreach Center (SOC) Food Banks
SOC Food Banks, a Yakima Vineyard outreach ministry, strives to alleviate hunger across several communities in Yakima County by providing food assistance to serve individuals and families...
Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Washington — OIC Food Bank
The OIC Food Bank provides free nutritional and food services to the highest need communities in Yakima and surrounding areas. Additionally, the OIC Food Bank is the central distribution agency of...
Sunrise Outreach Center - Yakima — Food Pantry
The Yakima Food Pantry 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...
Sunrise Outreach Center — Food Pantry
Sunrise Outreach Center offers quality food items to individuals and families in need of support accessing food for themselves. This program provides:- Food to meet basic nutritional needs
Yakima Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Yakima Seventh-Day Adventist Church's food bank serves everyone from low-income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else...
St. Michael's Episcopal Diocese of Spokane — Food Pantry
St. Michael's Pantry 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 support...
Yakima Rotary Food Bank
Yakima Rotary 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...
Yakima Fairview Seventh-day Adventist Church — Food Pantry and Breakfast
Yakima Fairview Seventh-day Adventist Church offers a food pantry to households experiencing food insecurity as well as a community breakfast. This program supplies critical nutrition to hungry...
Sunnyside Food Bank — Food Pantry
Mabton 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...
Zillah Food Bank — Food Pantry
Zillah Food Bank 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.This program...
Toppenish Community Chest Food Bank
Toppenish Community Chest Food Bank serves everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else in need of...
St. Vincent Center — Food Pantry
Our food pantry provides supplemental groceries to individuals and families in need of assistance. We provide:- Food to meet basic nutritional needs
Anyone can access this program.
Selah Naches Food Bank — Food Pantry
The 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 pantry.
Grandview Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church
The Grandview SDA Church's Food Bank helps to alleviate hunger in the Grandview community by providing food assistance to individuals and families in need. This program provides:- Food to meet...
Yakama Nation Government — Food Distribution
In order to ensure the health of the Yakama Nation population we provide needy families with USDA grant Commodity Foods that are on the Reservation and also helping with Energy Assistance to...
Mental Health (6)
Cancer Lifeline — Emotional Support
Free professional counseling and support groups for patients and caregivers.
Gilda's Club Seattle
Free support groups, workshops, and social activities for anyone affected by cancer.
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA — WA
Free 12-week wellness program for cancer survivors focusing on recovery.
Cancer Pathways
Free support groups, lectures, workshops, and social events for people living with cancer and families.
Team Survivor Northwest
Free fitness and health programs for women cancer survivors including yoga, aquatics, and hiking.
Harmony Hill Cancer Retreats
Free 3-day residential cancer healing retreats at a Hood Canal retreat center with peer support.
Money (17)
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.
HealthWell Foundation
Manages 40+ cancer assistance funds covering copays, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Yakima Union Gospel Mission (YUGM) — YUGM Thrift Stores
Yakima Union Gospel Mission (YUGM) 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.
Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Washington — National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP)
The NFJP serves eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents in Washington State. Our program is dedicated to addressing the urgent needs of agriculture workers and their...
Yakima Valley Libraries — Library Services
Yakima Valley Libraries provide free and open access to a broad range of materials and services to people of all ages and backgrounds.Services include:- Computer and internet access- Printing and...
Howard's Medical Supply — Durable Medical Equipment
Howard’s Medical Supply provides a comprehensive line of medical equipment and supplies from the most trusted manufacturers and top brands at fair and competitive prices.We provide:- Durable...
Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington — PREPARES Baby Supplies Program
Catholic Charities offers free baby supplies packages to families in need, If your family or a family you know is expecting, or has a child under the age of 5, and is in need of basic baby...
Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Washington — Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) provides financial assistance to households at or below the federal poverty guidelines to offset their winter heating bills. These programs assist eligible...
Yakima Neighborhood Health — Health Insurance Assistance
Yakima Neighborhood Health Services provides Health Insurance Assistance to help determine which medical and dental plans you and your family may qualify for.Services include:- Health insurance...
Yakima Neighborhood Health — Women, Infant & Children's Nutrition Program
WIC is a supplemental food program that provides nutrition education and provision of nutritious foods to women who are pregnant, or mothers and caregivers with a child of 5 years or under.
Grandview Dollars for Scholars — Grandview Scholarship Fund
Grandview Dollars for Scholars offers the Grandview Scholarship Fund to help students achieve their educational goals by raising scholarship funds, establishing endowments and distributing...
Yakima Valley Community College — Opportunity Grant
The Opportunity Grant helps low-income students complete up to one year of college and a certificate in a high-wage, high-demand career. This effort helps promote social mobility among an...
Yakima Valley Community College — TRIO Student Support Services
TRIO Student Support Services provides academic support services to low-income, first-generation students or students with a disability who have an academic need. Services include:- Tutoring-...
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic — Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) - Washington
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...
Legal (6)
Northwest Justice Project
Free legal services for low-income cancer patients across Washington State.
Cancer Legal Resource Center
Free information and referrals on cancer-related legal issues.
Disability Rights Washington
Help with disability rights, ADA protections, and SSDI applications.
Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA)
Health equity organization helping with insurance disputes, Medicaid access, and health coverage barriers.
Columbia Legal Services
Free civil legal aid advancing racial and economic justice for low-income Washingtonians.
End of Life Washington
Free support and advance directive forms for people facing terminal or serious illness in WA.
Care (4)
WA Family Caregiver Support Program
Respite care, training, and support for family members caring for cancer patients.
Aging & Long-Term Support — WA DSHS
State-funded in-home services for patients who need help with daily activities.
A Caring Closet — Vancouver
Free durable medical equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds in SW Washington.
Community Home Health & Hospice — Longview
Community-based hospice and home health services for terminally ill patients in SW Washington.
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.