This page lists all of CCSN’s financial resources. While these are divided by province, you can find Canada-wide resources below.
In 2022, CCSN received a grant to create a financial resource with the goal of educating patients about what options they have to alleviate the financial cost of cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates cancer care costs the average patient over $30,000 throughout their lifetime. Our goal is to provide as much information as possible, all in one place, for patients & survivors across the country.
These resources are sorted by province with the goal of making sure that patients and survivors have the tools they need to receive financial help or cut the costs associated with cancer.
In addition to the resources we have below, we also have created a webinar series that covers topics about disability benefits, private health plans, financial planning, CPP, occupational therapy and balancing work and caregiving.
Feedback about these resources is welcome, as we are always looking for areas to offer more help to those in need. To comment, request or submit additional resources, email communications@survivornet.ca
National Financial Resources
Canada Pension Plan – Disability Benefits The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit is a taxable monthly payment that is available to people who have contributed to the CPP and who are not able to work regularly at any job because of a disability.
The CPP disability benefit is not designed to pay for such things as medications and assistive devices.
To qualify for a CPP disability benefit, you must:
- have a severe and prolonged disability
- be under the age of 65
- meet the CPP contribution requirements.
You should apply as soon as you develop a severe and prolonged or terminal medical condition that prevents you from working regularly at any job.
Do not delay in sending your completed application forms. You must apply for the CPP disability benefit in writing. The date your application is received affects the date your benefit begins.
For more information about the Canada Pension Plan – Disability Benefits, click here.
Toll-free: 1-800-277-9914 (Service Canada)
Employment Insurance (EI) Caregiving Benefits: Employment Insurance (EI) has caregiver benefits available, including family caregiver benefits for children if you are away from work to provide care/support for a critically ill or injured child under 18; family caregiver benefits for adults if you’re away from work to provide care or support to a critically ill or injured person 18 or older. There are also compassionate care benefits if you are away from work to provide care or support to a person who requires end-of-life care, whether they’re a child or an adult. To learn more about who can qualify, click here. For how to apply, click here.
Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits: EI Sickness Benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine. Generally, you need to have worked 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks and prove that your earnings have been reduced by more than 40 per cent to qualify for sickness benefits.
To see whether you meet the sickness benefits criteria, you will need to submit:
- a medical certificate,
- an application form
- records of employment from all employers you have worked for in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last claim (whichever is fewest)
It’s important that you apply as soon as possible. If you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.
Coverage may last up to 26 weeks. You could receive 55% of your earnings up to a maximum of $695 a week.
For more information about EI – Sickness Benefits, click here.
Toll-free: 1-800-206-7218
- Short-term disability insurance: Short-term disability coverage provides benefits for up to 6 months while you’re sick or injured. If your employer has a short-term disability plan, you have to make your claims through that disability plan. If you don’t have short-term disability coverage or sick leave through your employer, you may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.
- Long-term disability insurance: Long-term disability insurance begins when benefits like short-term disability, sick leave from your employer, and EI sickness benefits end. Most long-term disability plans will replace 60% to 70% of your normal income. Each disability plan varies.
Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run: The Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation was created to help women/men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. There are many unexpected costs they may face, and which their health insurance program might not cover. Therefore, the goal of the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation is to provide financial assistance to women/men in these situations.
Veteran Affairs Canada provides treatment and other health-related benefits to veterans and their survivors/dependants. Benefits include medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices, home adaptations, supplementary benefits such as travel costs for examinations or treatment, and other community healthcare services and benefits.
Together We Stand Foundation: The Operation Emergency Fund is a program designed to address acute financial crises within the military community in a confidential and dignified way. Through an official partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces, Together We Stand works to get emergency funding to military families within a 72-hour period. Contact them at info@twsfoundation.ca. Phone: +1 416-324-9739
- Canada Revenue Agency – Tax Credits and Deductions There are certain credits that you may be able to claim on your federal income tax return to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
- Medical Expenses 2024 – Canada.ca: The medical expense tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit that you can use to reduce the tax that you paid or may have to pay. If you paid for healthcare expenses, you may be able to claim them as eligible medical expenses on your tax return. These expenses include a wide range of products, procedures and services, such as: medical supplies, dental care, travel expenses. Generally, you can claim all amounts paid, even if they were not paid in Canada. You can only claim the part of an eligible expense for which you have not been or will not be reimbursed. For more information on how to claim medical expenses, click here.
- Disability tax credit (DTC) – Canada.ca: The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities, or their supporting family member, decrease the amount of income tax they may have to pay. If a medical practitioner certifies that you have a severe and prolonged impairment, you may be eligible for the Disability tax credit. If you are approved, you may claim the disability tax credit on your income tax return once the CRA has approved the application. The DTC aims to offset some of the extra costs related to the impairment.
Hope Air: Hope Air is a national registered charity that helps Canadians in financial need fly to medical treatments.
Kindred Foundation and Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation: Families travelling 150 km or more for their child’s cancer treatment and/or in significant financial need can receive a package containing $350 worth of gift cards from their social worker at partnering hospitals across Canada.
Patient Amenities Fund for Neuroblastoma: The James fund funds part of the Patient Amenities Fund, which is a source of assistance for families with children living with Neuroblastoma who have limited financial resources and whose child is being cared for by SickKids. The fund helps with expenses not covered or only partially covered by public health insurance and community resources. These include travel, food, accommodation, medication, and medical equipment.
Emergency Fund Childhood Cancer Canada: The Emergency Fund is a program available to patients and families who have a child or adolescent in active cancer treatment in Canada and require financial assistance. Childhood Cancer Canada is one of the only organizations that provides direct financial assistance where it’s needed the most – household bills, groceries, medication, transportation costs or meals during long treatment days at the hospital. Canadian families who have a child with cancer requiring financial assistance are eligible to access this program.
To be eligible to receive funding, the child/patient must be:
- Diagnosed with cancer
- Receiving care at a Canadian hospital (active treatment or follow-up/after-care)
- 18-years of age and under
For more information about applying, click here.
RMHC Canada: Ronald McDonald Houses give families who don’t live near a children’s hospital, a warm and compassionate home to stay together while their child is being treated at a nearby hospital.
- Hamilton ($12/night),
- Toronto ($15/night),
- Windsor ($10/night but no family is ever turned away due to inability to pay),
- halifax ($15/night but no family is ever turned away due to an inability to pay)
- Vancouver ($12/night)
- Calgary ($15/night and financial assistance is available for families in need)
- Edmonton ($15/night and financial assistance is available for families in need),
- London ($10/night but no family is ever turned away due to an inability to pay),
- Winnipeg ($10/daily but no family is ever turned away if they are unable to make the daily room),
- Medicine hat (AB)($15/night and financial assistance is available for families in need),
- Montreal ($10/night),
- St John’s ($15/night but if the bill is unmanageable, guests will be provided with a complimentary stay)
- Ottawa ($10/night),
- Quebec city ($10/night),
- Red deer (15/night and financial assistance is available for families in need),
- Saskatoon ($10/night however no one will be turned away if they cannot make the suggested room contribution)
The cost to stay the night at Ronald McDonald Houses ranges from $10-$15/night, and depends on which house you will be staying at.
Life Insurance for People with Cancer | Canada Protection Plan: Canada Protection Plan offers life insurance for cancer patients and those with a history of cancer. No medical exams, needles or fluids needed. You can apply and get protected with a life insurance plan that fits your needs. Canada protection plan no medical and simplified issue life insurance offers term or whole/permanent life insurance options. Permanent/whole life insurance plans are meant to help cover you for the duration of your life, covering costs like final expenses and outstanding medical debts. Term life Insurance Plans offer coverage for a defined period to assist with covering costs like tuition or a mortgage, in the event of a tragic death.
Bankruptcy Canada: If you need to file for bankruptcy, Bankruptcy Canada has support and resources on their website.
Credit Counselling Canada: Credit Counselling Canada has trained counselors to help you with your debt and money problems. You can visit their website for more information.
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: The Financial Consumer Agency has information and resources to help you with spending and debt. You can find tools to help you with budgeting, financial planning and getting out of debt. Visit their website for more information.