Government, community and other sources of financial help

A range of financial and practical assistance (e.g. travel assistance, accommodation options, local council services) available in each state and territory to help people affected by breast cancer to access treatment services and to help them at home. 

If you live in a rural or remote area there are specific schemes that can help you. 

Community health services and volunteer organisations can also provide help. 

Lymphoedema compression garment subsidies

If you have been diagnosed with lymphoedema and need a compression garment, there are schemes available that provide subsidies to help with the cost.

The schemes are run by all state and territory governments and cover some, or all, of the cost of compression garments. In some states/territories, you will need to have a Health Care Card to be eligible for a subsidy.

For more information about the schemes and how to apply for assistance where you live, visit the Lymphology Association website. 

Community assistance

Local councils, community health services and volunteer organisations can provide help of different kinds. For instance, some local councils provide home help services including:

• household cleaning
• ironing
• gardening and property maintenance
• delivering meals
• shopping and banking
• patient transport
• child care
• respite care (providing carers with a break from their caring role)

There are fees involved with some of these services and some have eligibility criteria. Contact your local council or volunteer organisation for more information about the services and supports that might be available in your area.

Community health services can also link you to financial advisers, social workers and other types of support. They may be able to provide you with vouchers for supermarkets, petrol, etc. if you are experiencing severe financial hardship.

If you have a smart phone, there are apps available to help you and your friends create an organised community of care. The following have been recommended by people living with cancer: CareZone, Caring Bridge and Gather My Crew.

Taxi concession programs

State and territory governments have programs that provide access to discounted taxi fares for people who meet certain residential, medical and financial criteria.

Eligibility criteria may include whether you:

• are a permanent resident of Australia and live in that state/territory
• have a severe disability that prevents you from using public transport safely or independently
• have a permanent disability or one that will not improve with treatment
• are a Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs pension card holder
• can provide proof that you are experiencing severe financial hardship.

Taxi concession cards are renewed every six years and provide significant discount in fares, ranging from 25-75%. The maximum fare you can claim varies between states and territories. You will need a letter from your doctor to advise that your illness means that you cannot safely or independently drive or use public transport.

For more information visit the appropriate website in your state or territory:

• ACT: Taxi Subsidy Scheme
• NSW: Transport NSW 
• NT: NT Government
• Qld: Taxi Subsidy Scheme
• SA: Taxi Fare Subsidy Scheme
• Tas: Taxi Subsidy Program
• Vic: Multi-purpose Taxi Program
• WA: Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme.

Utility relief schemes

Utility relief schemes provide assistance for people who are having difficulty paying their utility bills (gas, electricity, water) because of financial crisis. They are managed by different departments in the different state and territory governments.

Before applying, speak with your utility company to ask if they can provide you with any assistance directly. Most utility providers offer a regular discount if you hold a government concession card (such as a Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card).

Bills and debt

If you're having difficulty paying bills and credit cards or making loan repayments, the first step is to talk with your financial institution (i.e. your bank, mortgage broker or credit card provider) and let them know you are experiencing financial hardship because of your breast cancer diagnosis.

Many companies have hardship officers who can assess your situation and let you know what help is available. Hardship officers can also help you with an affordable payment plan, such as paying bills in instalments or temporarily altering your loan repayments.

If you still can't meet the requirements of the new agreement, talk to your financial institution immediately while continuing to pay as much as you can afford, even if it is less than the agreed minimum.

You may find it helpful to talk to a financial counsellor. They can help you to negotiate payments and apply for a hardship variation. You can find a financial counsellor in your local area via the MoneySmart website. 

Other sources of support for financial hardship

Cancer Council

Cancer Councils in each state and territory offer a range of services for people affected financially by cancer.

You can contact Cancer Council on 13 11 20, or visit the Cancer Council website for information about:

• financial assistance schemes
• accommodation options
• travel assistance
• practical assistance, such as home help
• grants or subsidies that may be available in your state or region
• programs that provide free legal, financial and workplace assistance advice to people affected by cancer who cannot afford to pay for advice.

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA)

FCA is the peak body for financial counsellors in Australia. Financial counsellors provide information, support and personal advocacy to assist people in financial difficulty. FCA counsellors work in community organisations across Australia and their services are free, independent and confidential.

To speak to a financial counsellor by phone, or for a referral to a counsellor in your area, call FCA on 1800 007 007 or visit the Financial Counselling Australia website. 

National Debt Helpline

The National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free and confidential advice from professional financial counsellors. The Helpline can be contacted via the National Debt Helpline website or by phoning 1800 007 007.

The Salvation Army Counselling

The Salvation Army offers a free financial counselling service. Counsellors can provide information, help you to develop a plan to improve your finances and, if required, act as your advocate and negotiate with your creditors. The Salvation Army also has a No-Interest Loans Scheme (NILS), which provides loans to people on low incomes who need to purchase essential household items (a range of criteria must be met for this scheme).

For more information, visit The Salvation Army website or, to speak with someone about financial counselling, phone 13 72 58.

Australian Red Cross

Australian Red Cross provides patient transport services. In some states and territories, there are also child care services available. To find out what is available in your local area, visit the Red Cross website or contact your state or territory Red Cross office. You can also call the Red Cross main number on 1800 733 276.

Mummy's Wish

Mummy's Wish provides practical, non-means-tested support to families with children aged under 13 years while their mother is receiving treatment for cancer. A request for support can be submitted through the website. More information is available by visiting the Mummy's Wish website, or by calling 1300 045 741.

Breast prostheses reimbursement program

A permanent external breast prosthesis is made from silicone and resembles the shape and weight of the breast. It fits inside a bra to restore shape and maintain balance and alignment of the spine, for people who have had a mastectomy.

The cost of breast prostheses ranges from about $150 to more than $500. Women who have had a mastectomy can claim up to $400 against the cost of a prosthesis every two years through the Australian Government's External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program.

If a breast prosthesis costs more than $400, some private health funds will reimburse some of the cost. Medicare will then pay the remainder up to $400. Some private health funds will also cover the cost of a mastectomy bra and swimwear. If you have private health cover, check with your insurer to find out what they will cover. You'll need to claim from your private health insurer before making a claim from Medicare.

Women who have had a double mastectomy can claim for the cost of a prosthesis for each breast, up to $800. Claims can be lodged with Medicare. Visit Services Australia for more information and reimbursement forms.

Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS)

If you live in a rural area you will probably have to travel to another town or city for specialist medical services and treatment, and you may sometimes have to stay overnight. This can be very expensive. All states and territories provide some financial assistance for these kinds of expenses through Patient Assistance Travel Schemes (PATS).

For more information, visit Healthdirect website.

Resources

• Podcast: Accessing Support for Breast Cancer in Regional and Rural Locations.
• Podcast: Money and the Australian healthcare system.
• Fact sheet: Managing the Financial Impacts of Breast Cancer.