A cancer diagnosis is hard. Worrying about money, food, housing, or how to get to your doctor shouldn’t make it even harder. There are many helpful programs in Minnesota and a few nationwide that are here for you. These groups offer free or low-cost support for people going through cancer and their loved ones.
Financial & Emergency Help
Angel Foundation: Gives money to individuals in treatment for cancer for things like rent, heat, groceries, and gas. Offers free coaching to help with money and support for families and caregivers.
Dollar For: Helps people erase or reduce hospital bills using hospital financial help programs. They fill out and send the paperwork for you for free.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: Offers financial counselors to help with debt counseling and debt management plans.
Patient Advocate Foundation: Helps pay for cancer medicine costs like copays or deductibles. Also provides financial aid funds for non-medical expenses and academic scholarships.
Pinky Swear Foundation: Helps families with kids or teens going through cancer treatment. Can help pay for gas, rent, hotels, food, and more.
Social Work Support: Talk to the social worker at your cancer clinic. They often know about special grants that can help with money or bills.
Utility Bill Help
Energy Assistance Program (EAP): Helps people pay heating and energy bills. Apply through your local energy assistance office.
Housing Help (Renters & Homeowners)
HOME Line: Free help for renters about evictions, unsafe homes, and rent problems. Help is available in many languages.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: Offers housing counselors to help with budgeting, missed mortgage payments, and stopping foreclosure.
Food Support
Open Arms of Minnesota: Delivers free meals to people with cancer (and other medical conditions). Medically-tailored meals are made by chefs and dietitians to help with health during treatment.
Second Harvest Heartland: Helps people find food shelves, sign up for SNAP, and get food delivered.
Transportation to Appointments
American Cancer Society – Road to Recovery: A volunteer program that gives free rides to cancer treatment. Availability depends on location and drivers.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): If you're on Medical Assistance (MA), you may get free rides or gas money for doctor visits. Call your health plan or county office to ask.
Emotional Support & Cancer Navigation
Gilda’s Club Twin Cities: Free support groups, counseling, and wellness classes for people with cancer and their families. Meets online or in-person.
Jack’s Caregiver Coalition: Offers events, peer support, and help for individuals caring for loved ones with cancer.
Minnesota Cancer Alliance: A statewide group that shares resources for people with cancer and helps improve cancer care in underserved communities. Sign up for their newsletter here.
Patient Advocate Foundation – Case Management Services: Gives free help with insurance questions, appeals, and treatment access.
