Government of Canada
For Canadians facing pancreatic cancer, federal support programs are inadequate and often leave families struggling to make ends meet.
EI Sickness Benefits
Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits: While offering up to 26 weeks of financial aid, this is far from enough for people undergoing lengthy, aggressive treatments. Many exhaust these benefits before their battle is even halfway over.
• Compassionate Care Benefits: Caregivers of people with pancreatic cancer face grueling responsibilities, but 26 weeks of partial income replacement barely scratches the surface. The criteria are restrictive, and many caregivers are left unsupported when benefits run out.
• CPP Disability Benefits: This program requires a “severe and prolonged” disability to qualify, but the application process is bureaucratic and time-consuming. For people with a short but aggressive prognosis, many won’t live to see approval.
• Medical Expense Tax Credit: A non-refundable credit sounds helpful, but it only benefits those with enough income to pay taxes. For families already stretched thin, this doesn’t provide immediate or meaningful relief.
Patient and Family Support Fund
The Cancer Care Foundation in Newfoundland offers short-term financial assistance for patients for treatment-related expenses like meals, accommodations and transport. They also may provide funding for costs associated with wigs, prosthetic and other equipment.
Contact: +1 (709) 777-7604
Craig‘s Cause Patient Financial Assistance Support Grant
Provided in the amount of $500/$1000 financial grant, eligibility and amount is determined by board of directors within thirty days from application.
The goal of our Patient Financial Support Grants™, is to provide financial aid to pancreatic cancer patients experiencing financial challenges, during their pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Grants are provided to patients who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and who meet the criteria for this program.
Hope Air
Providing more than 20,000 travel arrangements in 2023 alone, Hope Air is a nationally registered charity that gets patients to specialized appointments or surgeries. Through free flights and travel arrangements, the charity enables Canadians to connect with medical facilities and resources that might otherwise be unavailable to them.
Their mission is rooted in the simple belief that healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of geographical location or financial status.
Rainy Day Fund | Shine Through the Rain Foundation
The Rainy Day Fund provided by Shine Through the Rain Foundation offers financial assistance to Canadians undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses. The fund helps cover essential living expenses, such as utilities, rent, groceries, and transportation costs, with a maximum of $1,500 per year per family.
Applications must be submitted by a healthcare professional like a social worker or nurse, and the program prioritizes urgent needs. The assistance is provided directly to service providers, ensuring patients can maintain a stable living environment during treatment.
We encourage patients and their families to explore the financial support options available above. Remember that each program has its own eligibility criteria and application process.
We will review periodically programs that are available and will update this page as needed. If you need assistance navigating these resources or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Heather Cutler Foundation.