If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you are not alone. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2026, and about 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Men who have advanced prostate cancer, or other underlying health conditions, may qualify for disability benefits to help them pay for living expenses while they fight their cancer. However, many men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer do not qualify for disability benefits because they are able to continue working during their cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the cost of treatment, missed work, and other expenses can add up fast, meaning that men with prostate cancer oftentimes need some sort of financial assistance to help them cover these expenses.
The cost of some medications required to treat prostate cancer is prohibitively expensive for most men. No one should have to choose between paying for food or paying for the medication they need to fight their cancer. Luckily, financial assistance for men battling prostate cancer is out there.
Some good resources for men who need help financially while they fight prostate cancer include non-profit organizations, VA benefits, and Social Security disability benefits.
Costs may extend beyond treatment itself. Insurance deductibles, co-payments, imaging, prescription drugs, and other medical bills can affect a household budget. Travel, parking, lodging, meals away from home, caregiving, and reduced work hours may add indirect costs. The amount varies based on the treatment plan, insurance coverage, and family circumstances. Identifying the largest expenses can help you focus on relevant financial support.
Financial help may be available through nonprofit organizations, drug manufacturers, hospitals, and government programs. Depending on the program, assistance may cover co-payments, prescription costs, transportation, housing, or other living expenses. Hospitals may also offer payment plans or financial counseling. Eligibility requirements, covered expenses, and available funding vary by program and can change. Check the latest details before applying.
Non-profit organizations are dedicated to supporting people as they go through cancer treatment. Some non-profits cannot offer financial assistance because of limited means, but they can assist people with cancer in finding financial assistance. And, conversely, there are other non-profits out there that do have the resources to offer direct financial assistance to men fighting prostate cancer. The type of help, eligibility requirements, and available funding vary by organization. Some of the non-profit organizations that offer financial assistance to men with prostate cancer include:
ZERO Prostate Cancer: ZERO Prostate Cancer offers a free patient support helpline. Through its partnership with Patient Advocate Foundation, case managers help patients understand insurance, locate financial assistance programs, and apply for help with treatment or living expenses.
CancerCare: CancerCare offers resource navigation, counseling, support groups, and financial or co-payment assistance for eligible patients. Its prostate cancer co-payment fund may open and close as funding changes, so check the current status before applying.
Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Program: If you have been prescribed Johnson & Johnson (J&J) drugs to treat prostate cancer, you may receive it at no cost for up to one year through the Johnson & Johnson Payment Assistance Program. Income and other program requirements apply.
The Assistance Fund: The Assistance Fund is an independent, charitable organization focused on providing patient assistance to help both patients and families who are faced with having to pay high out-of-pocket medical costs. By offering disease-specific programs, the Assistance Fund may help eligible patients pay co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other health-related expenses. Availability and covered costs can change.
Veterans may qualify for prostate cancer treatment through the VA based on enrollment, eligibility, priority group, disability rating, income, and other individual factors. If you are receiving VA treatment for prostate cancer, but are having trouble meeting the cost of your co-pays, you can apply for VA hardship assistance.
Finally, if you have prostate cancer and you cannot work for at least 12 months, you can apply for Social Security disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you will have to submit medical evidence showing that you meet the SSA’s Blue Book requirements for prostate cancer. In other words, you must prove that your prostate cancer meets one of these criteria:
The medical records you submit should include any imaging reports like MRIs or X-rays as well as blood tests, biopsies, an official letter of diagnosis of prostate cancer, and any doctor’s notes in your file. You can start an application for disability benefits directly through the SSA’s website.
Start by reviewing each program’s current eligibility rules, covered expenses, and funding status. Gather the documents it requests, which may include proof of diagnosis or treatment, identification, insurance information, household income records, recent medical bills, and records of other expenses.
A medical office may have a financial navigator, billing specialist, or oncology social worker who can explain available options. A caregiver or trusted family member can also help organize documents and deadlines.
Complete each application accurately and record when it was submitted. Track requests for more information and follow the program’s stated process. Applying does not guarantee approval, and assistance may pause when funding is unavailable.
If one program does not fit your needs, another may. Assistance can be limited by diagnosis, treatment stage, location, insurance, or income. Keep a list of programs you contact and note which expenses each one covers. This can make future applications easier and help you compare sources of financial support.
Some assistance programs help with costs outside medical care, such as transportation to treatment, temporary lodging, rent, utilities, food, or caregiver expenses. Coverage may depend on location, treatment status, income, and current funding. Before applying, confirm that the program covers the expense you need. Hospital social workers and financial navigators may know about local resources and can help you identify programs that fit your circumstances.
What Benefits May Be Available for Prostate Cancer?
Possible sources include Social Security disability benefits, VA assistance, Medicare or Medicaid programs, nonprofit funds, manufacturer programs, employer benefits, and hospital financial assistance. Each option has its own eligibility rules.
What Can Financial Assistance Help Cover?
Depending on the program, assistance may help with treatment, medications, insurance premiums, co-payments, transportation, lodging, or household expenses. Not every program covers every type of cost.
Where Can I Look for Prostate Cancer Financial Resources?
Start with your hospital or treatment center, nonprofit financial assistance programs, government benefit websites, and medication manufacturers. A financial navigator or oncology social worker may also help you locate current resources that fit your needs.
PCFC can be a local starting point for patients and families seeking prostate cancer support. PCFC’s monthly support group meets at Wellness House in Hinsdale on the first Wednesday of each month. Wellness House also offers programs for patients and caregivers, including emotional support, exercise, and nutrition services.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Van Arsdall
Sources:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
https://pcfcweb.wpenginepowered.com/are-no-shave-november-and-movember-the-same-and-should-you-care/
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/top-5/best-ways-to-qualify
https://www.cancercare.org/copayfoundation#
https://www.va.gov/health-care/pay-copay-bill/financial-hardship/
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/prostate-cancer
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disability-tips/letter-of-support
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