Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. In this post, I want to focus on the CARES Act and how it can be helpful for people living with cancer.
What is the CARES Act?
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 provide financial assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic. You may qualify for assistance if you experienced a loss of income after March 2020. Many individuals and families are eligible for “Economic Impact Payments” (aka stimulus checks).
Additionally, Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available to prevent eviction. Rental assistance is based on your income and pending eviction. A cancer diagnosis does not prioritize your application. However it may be beneficial to include this information. Find a program near you: Rental Assistance | National Low Income Housing Coalition (nlihc.org)
How can the CARES Act help people living with cancer?
In addition to stimulus checks and rental assistance, programs that support people living with cancer also receive funding. This means they can continue to operate, and many can pass funds to qualifying applicants. Cancer.Net provides a list of programs at COVID-19 Financial Resources for People with Cancer | Cancer.Net
If you apply for financial assistance, and the program does not have sufficient funds, keep checking back. It is likely that additional funds will be available in early 2021.
Additionally, the CARES Act allows for payment by your health insurance company for telehealth doctor visits. It also permits using health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) for many over the counter (OTC) medications. (More information on OTCs can be found at Over The Counter Medications)
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I hope this information is helpful. If you would like to continue this conversation, please click on the Subscribe button at the top of the Blog page. I would love to hear your comments as well as resources that have worked for you. Please share this information with your family and friends.
Keeping you in my prayers,
Jackie
For introductory information and to understand the mission of this blog, please see the Introduction
