Cancer patients may have financial problems. You may not be able to do your usual job because of the cancer or treatment. There may also be extra costs if you do not have full healthcare benefits.

For questions about travel or financial help, call the Supportive Care Program of the Regional Cancer Program in Sudbury at 705-522-6237 ext 2175.

Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada has a helpful booklet called Coping With Your Financial Concerns When You Have Breast Cancer: A guide to resources and services in the Province of Ontario. For more information, click here.

Medications to take at home may be part of your cancer care. If you have a drug plan, check to see if these medications are covered. If you do not have a private drug plan, the following programs may be able to help with the cost of drugs.

Trillium Drug Program
This program helps with the cost of medication. After approval, the program will decide your ‘deductible’ based on your family net income. (The deductible is the portion of the cost that you pay)  For more information and an application form call 1-800-575-5386 or see www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/drugs/trillium.html. 

Emergency assistance
The Ontario Works General Welfare Assistance program in your community may give you money in an emergency. To qualify for this program, your finances are closely reviewed. 
For more information call 1-800-461-1167.or see (http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/). 

 • The Human Resources staff where you work can give you information about sick leave and disability benefits.
•  For information about Employment Insurance call your local Canada   Employment Centre.
• If you have paid into the Canada Pension Plan, you may be able to get Canada Pension

Disability Benefits. For information call the Income Security Program at Human Resources Development Canada, 1-800-277-9914.

Emergency assistance
The Ontario Works-General Welfare Assistance program in your community may give you money in an emergency. This program provides short-term financial help. If you qualify you will receive some money each month and a drug card to pay for medication.  This type of financial help is usually given when there is no other help. To qualify for this program, a person’s finances are closely reviewed.

For more information call 1-800-461-1167.or see (http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/). 

Some private health insurance plans cover breast prosthesis. Check your plan. If you are not covered, ask your doctor or nurse for an application form for the Assistance Devices Program (ADP). Even if your private insurance only covers part of the cost, the ADP may cover the rest.

For more information call the Assistance Device Branch at 1-800-268-6021 (7th floor, 5700 Yonge Street, North York ON M2M 4K5).