Manitoba

Manitoba Home Cancer Drug Program: A Pharmacare program designed for Manitobans diagnosed with cancer that grants coverage for eligible outpatient oral cancer medications and certain supportive care medications at zero cost to the patient.

Never Alone Cancer Foundation provides financial support to eligible applicants. Financial assistance can be granted for:

• Non-covered medical expenses
• Groceries
• Transportation / Parking for appointments and treatments
• Support with bills
• Dental expenses related to cancer
• Lymphedema treatment & garments
• Palliative support

Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer: Helping hands is an organization comprised of volunteers dedicated to providing financial support to those going through breast cancer treatment. 

Central Plains Cancer Services: Central Plains Cancer Services is a non-profit grassroots organization committed to bettering the quality of life for cancer patients, survivors and families. They offer various programs designed to assist with the financial challenges associated with cancer.

Shine Through the Rain Foundation: Shine Through the Rain Foundation works to provide advice, direction, and financial assistance to adults, children, and families impacted by life-threatening illness.

Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) provides financial support to Manitobans who have no other method of supporting themselves or their families. This includes benefits from the Rent Assist Program that assist with housing costs. For individuals who can work, EIA will help them return to work through supports. 

55 PLUS program:  An income supplement that provides quarterly benefits to low income Manitobans, aged  55 or older, and whose incomes fall within certain levels. Eligibility is dependent on income reported in your tax return of the previous year. Applications can be submitted at any point throughout the year. Note that, applicants who are not yet receiving benefits from the Old Age Security Program need to submit a new application each year. 

Harvest Manitoba: Harvest Manitoba is a not-for-profit, community-based organization, committed to nourishing their community. If you need food, you can register with Harvest Manitoba, respond to a few personal questions and provide identification for all household members. You will also need to provide your Manitoba Health card or your student ID if you’re an international student. A Client Services team member at Harvest Manitoba will go over your needs and schedule an appointment at a close food bank. Harvest Manitoba food banks are located across many communities in Manitoba. 

To receive Employment and Income Assistance as a Person with a Disability, you:

• Live in Manitoba and are aged 18 years or older.
• You have a mental or physical disability that is anticipated to last greater than one year and this disability prevents you from earning enough money to afford your or your family’s basic necessities. 
• You are in financial need.

For more information on EIA for people with disabilities, including information on financial need, sources of income, financial assets etc. click here.

Canadian Cancer Society Driving Program: This driving program brings together volunteer drivers and people who require transportation to cancer treatments. This program requires that patients be referred to this volunteer driving program by a member of their healthcare team at the hospital or at the cancer clinic where they are undergoing treatment. To use this driving program you need to be able to get in and out of a vehicle without help. If you are unable to travel independently, you need to bring a travel escort (minimum 18 years old) with you in the vehicle to every one of your appointments. 

Canadian Cancer Society Travel Treatment Fund: The travel treatment fund offers short-term financial support to decrease some travel expenses when traveling to cancer treatments. This includes costs like fuel and taxi or public transit fares. It is available to individuals in Canada who are currently or will in the near future be undergoing cancer treatment. To apply, you need to fill out and submit a Travel Treatment Fund Application Form.

South Central Cancer Resource: Transportation Assistance: South Central Cancer Resource offers a transportation program that helps you attend your cancer-related appointments. They have a door-to-door service for patients who need rides through their volunteer driver program. For patients who decide to drive themselves or have a family/friend as a driver, the mileage to and from appointments will be reimbursed. For more information, contact SCCR. 

Northern Patient Transportation Program: The Northern Patient Transportation Program (NPTP) is a provincial government program of Manitoba Health and managed by the Northern Health Region (NHR) which subsidizes the travel expenses of Northern residents to go to necessary medical appointments. For more information, including, about eligibility criteria, what NPTP covers and the process for this transportation program, click here.

Manitoba Breast Prosthesis Program (MBP): The MBP Program offers financial assistance to support eligible women access a vast selection of breast prostheses and bras following mastectomy. 

Women who qualify may decide to claim:

• a benefit every two years of:

1. Up to $400 per prosthesis to a total of one prosthesis for a single mastectomy; or
2. Up to $400 per prosthesis to a total of two prostheses for a bilateral mastectomy; and, 
3. Fifty dollars ($50) to help with the purchase of a bra

• or a benefit every four years of:

1. Up to $800 per prosthesis to a total of one prosthesis for a single mastectomy; or 
2. Up to $800 per prosthesis to a total of two prostheses for a bilateral mastectomy; and,
3. One hundred dollars ($100) to help with the purchase of a bra

For more information about how to partake in The Manitoba Breast Prosthesis Program, contact: Breast & Gyne Cancer Centre of Hope at 204-787-2970; Toll-free: 1-866-561-1026. Web: cancercare.mb.ca

Manitoba Hydro: Get help paying your bill: If you are behind on making payments toward your energy bills, Manitoba Hydro is here to help. There are a variety of options to get you back on track, decrease your energy expenses, and prevent disconnection of your service. If you have an outstanding balance and cannot make a payment, contact Manitoba Hydro immediately. They can work with you to ensure your energy services continue to flow.

Benevolent Fund | mbcandlelighters: Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Group, through its Benevolent Fund works to assist financially struggling Manitoba families by helping with the costs of the funeral service for their child. This fund supports families who’s children received most of their care at CancerCare MB. For more information on the application process click here.