Support Help Line
Breast cancer can destabilize the budget of those affected, whether due to increased out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. transportation to treatment and follow-up visits, accommodation, domestic help etc.) or also, for many, due to work disruption that may lead to a decreased income.
To support people affected by breast cancer, those eligible for the financial assistance program of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation may receive up to:
*A minimum of 6 months must separate each request;The amounts granted and eligibility criteria are subject to change without notice.
* Exclusion: hormone therapy, reconstructive surgeries
Your gross family annual income, estimated for the current year, must be lower than the following, depending on your situation:
*The dependent child must be under 18 years of age.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, please send these documents:
1. the completed application form;
2. a copy of your provincial notice of assessment for the last fiscal year (the page with the detailed calculations)
3. a copy of your spouse’s (if applicable) provincial notice of assessment for the last fiscal year (the page with the detailed calculations)
4. Only if you are on sick leave: Proof that you had employment income in the year prior to your breast cancer diagnosis (e.g. your last pay stub, recent proof of salary or disability insurance, or employment insurance)
*If needed, we may ask you for other documents
Please send your application (with all the required documents) by mail or email:
Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation – Financial assistance program
279 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 305, Montreal (Quebec) H2X 1Y1
Phone (toll-free) : 1 877 990-7171 #245
aidefinanciere@rubanrose.org
Having cancer is expensive
$300. This is, on average, the monthly excess expenses of a family in which one person has breast cancer. Travel expenses, parking, lodging, housekeeping, medication, specialized lingerie, lymphedema treatment and more, facing a breast cancer diagnosis can bring up some potentially frightening financial concerns. Suddenly, you have to stop everything to focus on your health. This usually means taking extended time off from work and finding help with your day-to-day responsibilities, such as child or elder care. If your cancer has advanced to stage 4, the situation is different because the impacts are long term, even lifelong.
It is important to know that you are not alone. Reach out to the services in your community that can help ease your mind and your wallet.
Everyone’s situation is different. Probably the biggest factor is whether you are the primary wage earner in your household. Depending on your professional circumstances and insurance, you may be eligible for compensation while undergoing treatment and recovery, but this may not match the income you earned before you became ill.
If you were employed before you became ill, you likely find yourself in one of these three categories:
On top of any lost income, you may also need someone to take over your day-to-day responsibilities while you are ill. This can include things like maintaining the home, grocery shopping and cooking, childcare, or care for elderly parents. In some cases, loved ones are able to pitch in, but not everyone has access to this resource. You may need to hire help, or other family members may need to take time off work to fill in the gaps.
We are fortunate that the Québec Health Insurance Plan covers the cost of medical care, but it may not alleviate all of the financial stresses that can arise from a cancer diagnosis. For instance, you may require some prescription or over-the-counter medications that are not covered by RAMQ or your insurance. Other medical devices, such as mobility aids, wigs, or prostheses may not be fully covered. You may also need to pay out-of-pocket for rehabilitation services, such as physiotherapy, or support services, such as psychotherapy for yourself and your family. Some people require the help of an at-home nurse, which may have some out-of-pocket costs. The cost of traveling and parking to multiple doctors’ appointments can add up, and if you need a caregiver to help you make these trips, that can mean time off work for a loved one.
The good news is that help is available. Below, we have compiled a comprehensive list of resources to assist you during this extremely difficult time. Please reach out for the support you need.
If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, the last thing you should have to worry about is your finances. It is important to know that help is available during this challenging time.
In collaboration with our Major Partner, National Bank, we have prepared videos to help you navigate through financial questions you may have : following your diagnosis, during your treatments and after surviving breast cancer.
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