Updated April 11, 2012
Cancer can impact your finances. The following is meant as a guideline to assist you in finding financial support. In most cases if you receive social assistance through the Ministry of Social Development or are eligible for assistance with Veterans Affairs or Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, contact a Financial Aid Worker or Counsellor for advice.
1. Assistance with Medical Costs
This information is included in the BC_Cancer_financial_brochure_2012Small.pdf 
pamphlet.
The BC Cancer Agency's Financial Support Drug Program (FSDP) enables eligible applicants who are receiving active cancer treatment and are in financial need to purchase symptom control medications at a subsidized rate. You can apply online at www.cancer.ca/bc/supportservices/financial or by calling the Cancer Information Service at1-888-939-3333 (toll free).
If you require assistance with travel and accommodation costs for treatment, you can apply to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), Financial Support Program using the same application online www.cancer.ca/bc/supportservices/financial or by calling the Cancer Informaion Service at 1-888-939-3333 (toll free).
If you have limited income and do not have extended health benefits, check with the Ministry of Social Development to see if you are eligible for assistance with medical services.
Other Sources Of Help For Medical Costs
Dressings and Stoma Covers: The Order of the Eastern Star provides dressings, including stoma covers, for persons with cancer at no cost. Patients can get these dressings at the BC Cancer Agency cancer centres (ask staff), through home care nursing or their family physicians. There is a request form for physicians to complete.
Ostomy Supplies and Prosthetic Appliances: Check with Pharmacare and extended health benefit plans regarding eligibility for reimbursement. Prosthetic appliances must be permanent and designated.
Nutritional Supplements (e.g. Boost, Ensure): Assistance may be available through your Extended Health Benefit Plan. If you are on social assistance, ask your worker about any benefits available.
Wigs: Donated wigs & hats may be available, at no cost, through the Canadian Cancer Society. Call Toll Free at 1.888.939.3333.
Donated wigs and head coverings may also be available at your local cancer centre.
If you wish to purchase a wig, check with your extended health benefit plan for reimbursement. (A prescription from your physician will help document your claim).
We also encourage you to contact local hairdressers and wig salons if you wish to purchase a wig. Check the yellow pages of your telephone directory. If you would like more information, contact your local BCCA Patient and Family Counselling office.
Tax Deductions For Medical Costs: Some medical expenses may be claimed as a tax deduction, (e.g. prescription, accommodation and travel costs). Disability tax credits are also available for those eligible. Check with your tax office or go online (www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t2201/README.html) for a copy of Medical Expenses and Disability Tax Credits.
Extended Health Plan: An optional coverage which may be offered by your employer. Your extended health plan may cover some expenses such as ambulance, medication, equipment or home oxygen costs. If you recieve the Old Age Pension, you may be eligible for a Guaranteed Income Supplement, dependent on your income.
Insurance: Contact your insurance company about life insurance policies. It may be possible to have your premiums waived without affecting the policy. Some policies may allow terminally ill persons to withdraw monies while living.
Associations and Community Groups: As a member of various groups (e.g. service groups, churches) you may qualify for financial support during illness.
First Nations: If you are a First Nations person, you may be eligible for help for medical expenses. Contact your band Community Health office. You may also call Health Canada, First Nations Branch at 1.800.317.7878 (Vancouver) to clarify whether a drug is covered, but you need the (DIN) Drug Information Number from the prescription. For exceptional drugs, your pharmacist can contact the First Nations Drug Exception Centre (Ottawa) at 1.800.580.0950 to discuss what drugs are covered.
Employer Benefits: Ask your employer about optional benefits that may be available at your work, such as Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Sick Leave, and Vacation Days.
Mortgage, Car Insurance and Credit Card Insurance: Check with the lending institution to explore their services and how flexible they are with deferring payments.
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2. Assistance with Income Loss
Ministry of Social Development:
Eligibility and Coverage:
- People who have little or no means of paying living expenses.
- Benefits include monthly support, shelter allowance, medical and prescription cost, travel costs and accomodation cost for medical treatment.
- Need to be financially independent for two years (exclusion includes disability).
Application:
- Contact the local Ministry of Social Develoment office for an appointment or apply online.
- Your monthly family income, assets, job readiness or disability level would be determined for your eligibility of assistance.
In addition to regular social assistance, there are two other programs you may be eligible for:
Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMD):
- Person must have received social assistance for 12 out of the last 15 months.
- Have severe multiple personal barriers to employment.
- Have a medical condition that has lasted for at least 1 year, and is likely to continue or reoccur frequently for at least 2 years.
Persons with Disabilities (PWD):
- Includes persons with prolonged disability (deemed by practitioner/physician and assessor).
- The disability must be severe, i.e. difficulties with activities, day to day life affected.
- The person needs to be on regular income assistance beforehand to be eligible.
Ministry of Social Development contact Information:
- Enquiry BC: 604.660.2421
- Victoria: 250.387.6121
- Toll Free: 1.866-866-0800
- Website: www.mhr.gov.bc.ca
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Employment Insurance
Individuals who are employed but not able to work for medical reasons may be eligible for benefits through their employer or Employment Insurance Sickness benefits. Talk to your employer.
Eligibility and Coverage:
- People who are unable to work because of sickness and have eligible insurable hours.
- Sick benefits can be paid for up to 15 weeks.
- Duration of Regular Benefits depends on unemployment rate of the region.
Application:
- Apply at your nearby Service Canada office.
- For those unable to visit a Service Canada office, you can apply online or contact Patient and Family Counselling Department, BC Cancer Agency for assistance.
Service Canada contact information:
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Canada Pension Plan Disability
(CPP Disability)
Eligibility: Minimum contribution condition to be met in order to qualify.
You must also be between the ages of 18 and 65 and have enough Canada Pension Plan contributions at the time disability occurs (e.g. contributed to C.P.P. in the last 4 out of 6 years).
You must have acquired the disability before, or within six months after your Canada Pension Plan retirement pension started if you are between 60 and 65 years of age; and the disability must be a physical or mental impairment that is both severe and prolonged simultaneously. Severe means that you are unable to regularly carry out any gainful employment. Prolonged means that the disability is likely to be of indefinite duration or is likely to result in death.
Children could be eligible for a disabled contributor's child's benefit if you receive a disability benefit. They must be under the age of 18, or aged 18-25 in full-time attendance at school.
Your pension will start four months after CPP has been given disabled person designation. If process time is longer, some payments may be available to cover delay period. If disability benefits are denied, you have 90 days from receipt of letter to notify CPP of your intent to appeal.
Application can be made in writing or online. Contact the Service Canada office or vist their website for an application kit. Application may be backdated for up to a year.
Canada Pension Plan Disability
Service Canada
1260 Government Street
Victoria, BC V8W 3M4
English: 1.800.277.9914
French: 1.800.277.9915
Website: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/cpp/index.shtml
Veterans Affairs Canada
Federal government office that provides legal assistance on appeals for disability pension to active and retired members of Canadian Forces and RCMP and their dependents.
Bureau of Pension Advocates
206 - 816 Government Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1W9
Toll Free: 1.877.228.2250
Fax: 250.363.3802
Website: www.vac-acc.gc.ca
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3. Assistance with Prescription Costs
Reimbursement for cancer related prescriptions may be available through an extended health benefit plan offered through your employer. If you are receiving help through the Ministry of Social Development, Veteran Affairs Canada and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, you may be covered for prescriptions.
The BC Cancer Agency's Financial Support Drug Program (FSDP), enables eligible applicants who are receiving active cancer treatment and are in financial need to purchase symptom control medications at a subsidized rate. You can apply online at www.cancer.ca/bc/supportservices/financial support or by calling the Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 (toll free).
Pharmacare
Partial reimbursement (up to 70%) above an annual deductible is available for individuals registered with MSP through Pharmacare. All applicants must be registered with the Fair Pharmacare Program. Benefits include most medications, and designated permanent prosthetic appliances.
For further information about Pharmacare drug coverage and to register for Fair Pharmacare call:
- Toll free: 1.800.554.0250
- Victoria: 250.952.2866
You can also register for Fair Pharmacare online - www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/plani/planiindex.html
Special Authority Drugs
There are certain drugs that may be covered through special programs provided by the drug companies, or through "special authorization" from your cancer doctor. Ask your cancer care team about these drugs.
Breast Prosthesis
One to three months after your surgery, and/or following your radiation therapy, you may want to obtain your permanent prosthesis. Discuss this with your doctor and ask for a prescription for the prosthesis and brassieres as they are considered to be prescription items.
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4. Assistance with Childcare Expenses
A daycare subsidy is available on a sliding income scale. Further details and applications are available through the Ministry of Children & Family Development. Ask about the Child Care Subsidy Program:
Child Care Help Line:1.888.338.6622
Website: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/subsidy_promo.htm