Living with a cancer of the blood brings many challenges, typically raising practical questions about work, insurance, finances and housing. That's why we created this guide to finding answers and support. Our goal is to help you access the resources and assistance you need so you can focus on your health.
Employment, Insurance and Financial Resources for Patients With Blood Cancers
Employment resources
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Information about employment rights for disabled individuals. Note that the ADA can apply to people with cancer when their disease makes it difficult to work or go places. Call (800) 514-0301.
California Civil Rights Department
Information about employment rights, including the California Family Rights Act, which provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, protected leave to tend to their own serious health condition or care for a family member with a serious health condition. Download this fact sheet on the law.
California Department of Rehabilitation
Job training, education, job placement and transportation assistance for individuals with disabilities.
Cancer and Careers
Practical information about cancer and employment. Download free educational materials, including the Living and Working With Cancer Workbook.
Family and Medical Leave Act Regulations and Information
This federal law allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of protected, unpaid leave per year for family or medical reasons.
Job Accommodation Network
Information about workplace accommodations, your legal rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and how to negotiate with employers to find solutions.
Disability benefits
Benefits Education Center
Provides counseling on private benefits for issues related to disability, insurance and employment. Particularly helpful for complicated cases.
California Foundation for Independent Living Resource Centers
Offers a variety of services for disabled individuals, including free benefits counseling and workshops. To find your local center, call (916) 325-1690 or search "find an ILC" at www.cfilc.org.
California State Disability Benefits
Eligibility information and application download available. Call (800) 480-3287.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Information about disability and pension benefits. Veterans with diseases related to toxin exposure during wartime (such as agent orange) may be eligible for disability compensation benefits. Veterans may also be eligible for free medical care and medications. Call (800) 698-2411.
Disability Benefits 101
Information about disability benefits and insurance in California.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
These federal programs provide financial assistance to people unable to work because of a disability. SSDI payments are based on past income; SSI payments are based on need.
Health insurance
The following resources can answer questions about COBRA, COBRA conversion and HIPAA guaranteed issue (extending insurance after COBRA expires).
Keep Your Health Coverage (COBRA)
The California Department of Managed Health Care website provides information about benefits under state and federal COBRA laws. Call (888) 466-2219.
COBRA Information
Get answers to your questions from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration. Call (866) 444-3272.
HIPAA and Conversion Health Plans
California Department of Managed Health Care. Call (888) 466-2219.
These resources can answer questions about private insurance:
California Department of Insurance
Call (800) 927-4357.
Help Center of the California Department of Managed Health Care.
Call (888) 466-2219.
For information about Medi-Cal:
California Department of Health Care Services
Application and eligibility information. Call (916) 445-4171.
Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
Assistance with payment of private insurance premiums for people with Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal Regulation Specialists
Private counseling and representation for those seeking Medi-Cal benefits. Helpful for complicated cases and applicants with excess assets. Call (877) 677-6334.
For information about Medicare:
Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Free in-person education about Medicare. Call (800) 434-0222.
Medicare Rights Center
Education about Medicare with a free hotline. Call (800) 333-4114.
Legal assistance
Bay Area Legal Aid
Provides free legal representation to low-income Bay area residents on issues related to housing preservation, domestic violence, health care access and benefits. Call (800) 551-5554.
Cancer Justice
Free information and hotline for cancer-related legal issues, such as insurance coverage, taking time off work, access to health care and benefits, and estate planning. Call (213) 736-1031.
FindLegalHelp.org
American Bar Association website with links to legal information and various legal resources. Call (800) 285-2221.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Information, mediation and negotiation to settle issues with access to care, health insurance appeals, medical debt and job retention. Call (800) 532-5274.
State Bar of California - Certified Lawyer Referral Service
Use the online tool to search for a lawyer by location and specialty.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly
Programs of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that provide free tax help to people with disabilities.
Financial assistance
American Cancer Society
Help with lodging and transportation. Call (800) 227-2345.
CancerCare
Assistance with treatment-related expenses, such as transportation, child care and prescription co-payments. Call (800) 813-4673.
David Andrew "Pooh" Maddan Foundation
Financial grants for young adults ages 18 to 35.
Good Days
Assistance with insurance premiums and drug co-payments. Call (877) 968-7233.
HealthWell Foundation
Assistance with insurance premiums, co-payments, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Call (800) 675-8416.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Offers a variety of financial assistance programs for insurance costs, treatment-related expenses and nonmedical expenses. Call (800) 955-4572.
Lymphoma Research Foundation
Offers grants that provide limited assistance with medical expenses and travel for patients with lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Call (800) 500-9976.
National Marrow Donor Program
Financial assistance for transplant-related expenses. Call (888) 999-6743.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Database of organizations offering co-pay help.
Patient Access Network Foundation
Provides grants to help with insurance premiums, drug co-pays and other treatment costs. Call (866) 316-7263.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Assistance with drug co-pays. Call (866) 512-3861.
Women's Cancer Resource Center
Assistance grants for patients in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Call (510) 601-4040.
Fundraising
Help Hope Live
Guidance on fundraising campaigns to cover medical expenses. Call (800) 642-8399.
Housing assistance and foreclosure prevention
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Information on rental assistance and subsidized housing programs in California.
Homeowner's Hope Hotline
Provides free financial and foreclosure prevention information. Call (800) 642-8399.
UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.
