Financial Resources
The cost of care – and everyday life – can be a significant burden. These resources highlight financial assistance options for medical care and more:
What are some financial assistance programs?
These are a few programs that offer financial assistance and a range of services. Eligibility and requirements will vary by program. Please note: The resources listed are not endorsed by the Lupus Research Alliance.
The PA Fund for Patient Advocacy at the Lupus Research Alliance established the Lupus Emergency Grant Program (LEGP) to help people impacted with lupus to handle financial burdens posed by this debilitating chronic disease. The PA Fund’s focus is to make a difference in the lives of people with lupus and their families who have limited resources at their disposal to combat their illness.
The LEGP has helped relieve the immediate, short-term financial aid concerns of many individuals with lupus by providing grants of up to $500 for day-to-day living expenses. Since its inception in 2019, 492 grants have been awarded at over $230,000.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Grants are contingent on the availability of funds.
Learn more about the LEGP and how to apply.
The Assistance Fund is an independent charitable patient assistance organization that helps patients and families facing high medical out-of-pocket costs by providing financial assistance for their copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other health-related expenses.
Phone: 855-845-3663
Co-Pay Relief provides direct payment for co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles for patients who need financial assistance.
Phone: 866-512-3861
There are two types of disability insurance administered by Social Security: Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Eligibility is dependent upon the amount of time worked and how long the medical condition is expected to prevent you from working. The Department of Labor connects people with disabilities to resources, including how to apply for disability benefits, find employment, get health care coverage, pay for housing, and more.
Phone: 866-633-7365
The HealthWell Foundation provides financial assistance to adults and children to cover the cost of prescription drug coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other selected out-of-pocket health care costs.
Phone: (800) 675-8416
JAN provides free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues.
Phone: 800-526-7234
Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease)
The Modest Needs Foundation offers grants for working individuals or families just above the poverty line that are facing financial hardship. Applicants must be over 18 years of age, a legal resident of the United States or Canada, have at least 1 active bank account or tax return from the last 2 years, not be a homeowner, meet income restrictions, and have computer access.
Phone: (844) 667-3776
The Salvation Army provides housing and homeless services, nutritional meals, educational counseling, and emergency utility assistance. Salvation Army programs and services vary with local needs.
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation Provides medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered, or not fully covered, by their family’s commercial health insurance plan.
Phone: 855-698-4223
There are detailed instructions on how to apply for disability benefits, what information and documents you need to apply, and an overview of the process.
Phone: 800-772-1213
Michael Niggel
September 6, 2017