Financial assistance
Dealing with cancer can present significant financial challenges. Finding time for appointments and treatments while facing medical bills and additional travel costs can all take a toll on your budget.
Cancer Council can help you find relevant community and government resources that may be able to assist you financially.
We may be able to provide a one-off grant to help you meet specific financial challenges posed by cancer. This is assessed on an individual basis usually through a social worker at your treatment centre. Talk to your social worker first, then call Cancer Council 13 11 20 if you need further assistance.
Financial Planning Referral Service
Cancer Council connects people affected by cancer with volunteer professionals who provide advice and assistance to patients and their carers. Professionals include financial advisers. Cancer Council staff do not provide advice directly to clients.
Cancer Council’s Financial Planning Referral Service may be able to help cancer patients, carers and bereaved carers experiencing cancer-related financial issues and are unable to afford professional advice. The services can advise on the following matters:
- Early access to superannuation
- Insurance claims (e.g. income protection, TPD and life insurance)
- Help with Centrelink
- Asset and debt management options
- Retirement and estate planning.
Financial eligibility criteria
Our referral services are means tested and patients and carers will be asked financial questions about:
- Employment status;
- Household income;
- Housing situation and dependents; and
- Assets and debts.
If you are not eligible or require assistance outside the scope of the program, you will be contacted and provided details of a volunteer professional who can assist on a paid basis or another free service.
Legal assistance
Cancer Council connects people affected by cancer with volunteer professionals who provide advice and assistance to patients and their carers. Professionals include lawyers.
Cancer Council staff do not provide advice directly to clients.
Legal Referral Service
Cancer Council’s Legal Referral Service may be able to help cancer patients, carers and bereaved carers experiencing cancer-related financial issues and are unable to afford professional advice. The services can advise on the following matters:
- Simple wills, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardian documents (patients only)
- Employment and discrimination matters
- Superannuation and insurance disputes
- Credit and debt matters.
Financial eligibility criteria
Our referral services are means tested and patients and carers will be asked financial questions about:
- Employment status;
- Household income;
- Housing situation and dependents; and
- Assets and debts.
If you are not eligible or require assistance outside the scope of the program, you will be contacted and provided details of a volunteer professional who can assist on a paid basis or another free service.
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For more information about Cancer Council SA's Financial Assistance Program and Cancer Council's Legal and Financial Referral Services call Cancer Council 13 11 20.