Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients in Central Valley California

All applications must be submitted electronically online.

If you do not have access to a computer, please call us to have a volunteer or staff member help you complete an online application over the phone. You may bring required documents to your oncologist’s office for them to assist you in faxing documents to (209) 726-3371 or emailing them to Communications@mercedcancersocietyfoundation.org.

To be eligible to receive financial assistance from the MCSF Foundation, you must:

• Be a current California resident over 18 years old.
• Be actively undergoing cancer treatment in California or within 90 days of your final treatment date. Eligible treatment is chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation.
• Have an annual household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines – see table. (Will be required to provide bank statements and proof of income for all members of household over 18 years old)
• Have less than $5,000 in total household liquid assets (checking, savings, CD, stocks etc.)
• Complete an online application for assistance and submit all required support documentation.

Helpful Tips for the 2024 Financial Application

The required documents are:

• Verification of Treatment: If you receive treatment outside of an El Portal Comprehensive Cancer Center clinic, please provide a treatment letter from your oncologist. This letter, on official letterhead, should confirm your cancer diagnosis and state that you are actively undergoing treatment or are within 90 days of completing treatment. Eligible treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and stem cell transplants. If you are treated at an El Portal Comprehensive Cancer Center clinic, we will verify your treatment for you.
• Proof of Income: We require proof of income for you and any household members over 18. This can be a copy of your Social Security benefits letter or your most recent 30 days of pay stubs. If you do not have an income, please provide a notarized letter stating this.
• Banking Accounts: Each adult in the household must provide proof of income. Please submit your three most recent bank statements for checking and savings accounts, including all pages with transaction and deposit history. The statements should show the bank name, account number, and account holder’s name. If you do not have bank statements, please provide a notarized letter stating this.
• Bills: Bills will only be required once an application is approved.

MCSF provides financial assistance to patients who meet the financial and medical criteria. One grant per patient can be issued per calendar year.

The types of bills that can be paid include:

• Rent*, lot rent or mortgage payments
• Homeowners insurance, rental insurance, or HOA
• Utilities – electricity, gas, water, or garbage
• Phone (1 line only – landline or cell, $50/month max)
• Car payments or car insurance (only one car allowed)
• Co-pays or deductibles
• Gas Cards
• Food Cards
• Hotel Stays

If you share bills with an individual who is not a part of your household, MCSF may pay your share.

*Rent requires lease and W9 for payment: If you are submitting a lease for us to pay rent in 2024, we require a W-9 form to be completed by your landlord or property management company. Due to IRS guidelines, the W-9 must be dated within the 2024 calendar year between 1/1/2024 and 12/31/2024. We also verify information reported with the IRS. We are unable to accept a W-9 dated prior to 2024.

MCSF is unable to pay the following bills:

• Credit cards
• Property Tax bills
• Vehicle registration fees
• Entertainment (TV, Internet, etc.)
• Health insurance premiums
• Personal, student, boat, or RV loans

All grants are paid by check and mailed directly to the entity, landlord or company and NOT to the patient. Please allow time for the mail to arrive.