How to Get Mesothelioma Financial Assistance
The first step in accessing financial assistance after a mesothelioma diagnosis is to understand all your options.
Mesothelioma cancer foundations and organizations like Mesothelioma Hope can be invaluable resources, offering guidance on grants, legal compensation, veterans benefits, and other types of support for families and caregivers.
Mesothelioma Hope’s Patient Advocacy team can:
Connect you with top mesothelioma attorneys to help you file a lawsuit- Help you navigate Medicare and private insurance
- Guide you on how to apply for disability benefits
- Let you know if you qualify for travel grants or free lodging
Connect you with top mesothelioma attorneys to help you file a lawsuit
Help you navigate Medicare and private insurance
Guide you on how to apply for disability benefits
Let you know if you qualify for travel grants or free lodgingBy providing these services at no cost, we can help you access mesothelioma treatment without worrying about how you’ll pay for it.
Speak to our Paralegal to see if you can access compensation from asbestos trust funds or a lawsuit.
The Financial Burdens of Mesothelioma
Approximately one-half of all Americans with cancer experience financial toxicity, according to a 2023 study published in JAMA Network Open.
Financial toxicity refers to the financial burden patients and their families face after a cancer diagnosis, such as the high cost of deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses for supportive services, medications, lost wages, and more.
“A mesothelioma diagnosis can make you feel powerless, but one thing you can control is your ability to reduce financial distress for you and your family.”
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Out-of-pocket costs are what you pay for mesothelioma treatment that isn’t covered by your health insurance.
Cancer patients pay up to $2,600 a month in out-of-pocket expenses, based on a report in Current Oncology.
Some of these expenses include:
- Brand-name medications
- Complementary or alternative therapies
- Co-pays and deductibles
- Elder care
- Gas and parking fees
- Home health visits
- Lodging and hotel stays
- Long-distance travel
- Special nutrition or diet plans
- Transportation such as flights, train rides, or car rentals
Mesothelioma financial assistance can help you manage these expenses and focus on your health and well-being without added stress.
“Once the financial weight is off your brain, it’s easier to worry about the things that matter.”
Top 3 Ways to Get Mesothelioma Financial Assistance
Navigating life after a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially in the face of rising health care costs.
Learn how lawsuit compensation, trust fund claims, and veterans benefits can help you or someone you know achieve financial relief and peace of mind.
1. Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit allows you to seek justice for yourself or on behalf of a loved one who got sick after exposure to asbestos products.
Nearly all mesothelioma lawsuits are settled out of court, with an average settlement between $1 million to $1.4 million, allowing you to receive compensation without going to trial.
Working with a mesothelioma lawyer can eliminate the hassle of filing a lawsuit. Your lawyer will handle the legal heavy lifting while you focus on your health and well-being.
Mesothelioma Hope has partnered with top asbestos law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy to help victims and loved ones get justice and compensation. To date, the firm has secured over $9.8 billion in mesothelioma settlements and verdicts.
2. Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Starting in the early 1980s, the U.S. court system forced asbestos product manufacturers — who avoided lawsuits by filing for bankruptcy — to deposit money in special trusts for current and future victims of asbestos-related diseases.
Today, over $30 billion is set aside in asbestos trust funds. You may be able to access a portion of this money if you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Asbestos victims are often qualified to file claims with multiple trusts, and many of them start receiving their first payouts in 90 days or less.
Our team can file asbestos trust fund claims on your behalf while you focus on treatment — see if you qualify now.
3. Veterans Benefits
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma cancer from service-related asbestos exposure, you can pursue financial support and free or low-cost medical care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Veterans with mesothelioma almost always qualify for disability benefits, which can pay over $4,000 a month if you’re married.
Other VA benefits that offer mesothelioma financial assistance include:
- Aid & Attendance
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)
- Funeral and burial allowances
- Pensions for victims and surviving loved ones
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit won’t affect your current or future veterans benefits — you can pursue both at the same time.
Learn more about paying for treatment in our Free Mesothelioma Guide, shipped overnight to your door.
Additional Mesothelioma Financial Support Options
Patients and families can also access financial help through mesothelioma foundations and charities. Learn more about what type of support is available below.
General Financial Assistance
Groups that can assist patients impacted by mesothelioma and other cancers include:
- Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition: The CFAC connects people with national and local organizations that provide help with medical expenses, prescription medications, transportation costs, housing and lodging during treatment, childcare, and other practical needs.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: This nonprofit organization offers financial assistance to patients who can’t afford their co-payments (the portion of medical expenses that must be paid out of pocket).
These resources can take financial pressure off families and help ensure patients can access life-changing treatment.
Travel and Housing Grants
Even if your insurance plan covers treatment, you may have to travel depending on where you live.
Mesothelioma travel grants can cover:
- Fares for cabs, taxis, and ride-share services
- Gas and parking fees
- Hotel stays for you and your family
- Ticket costs for travel by plane, bus, or train
If you’re eligible, the Meso Foundation’s Patient Travel Grant Program will pay for you and a caregiver to travel for an initial consultation and/or for clinical trial treatments.
Another potential option is the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge®, which provides guest suites free of charge to patients and caregivers who need to travel for outpatient treatment. There are Hope Lodges located in over 30 major cities across the United States.
Disability Insurance and Other Resources for Caregivers
If you have mesothelioma and paid Social Security taxes while working, your spouse, child, or caregiver may be eligible for dependent Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if they’re unable to work.
Some states like California and New Jersey also offer paid family medical leave to adult children and spouses who need to take time off work to care for a loved one with a serious medical condition.
Speak with a Patient Advocate to see if you qualify for grants and other types of financial assistance.
Get Mesothelioma Financial Support Today
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should be able to spend time with your family without worrying about medical bills and other expenses.
Mesothelioma financial assistance can help cover your out-of-pocket costs and provide stability for your family’s future.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you pursue compensation for:
- Medical treatments
- Home health care
- Travel to and from appointments
- Other related costs
Call (866) 608-8933 or speak with our legal advocate to learn about your options for financial support.
Mesothelioma Financial Support FAQs
Is there financial compensation for mesothelioma?
Yes. Financial compensation for mesothelioma may come from lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, or other legal claims.
Patients who file a mesothelioma lawsuit that results in a settlement get an average of $1 million to $1.4 million in compensation, according to Mealey’s® Litigation Report: Asbestos.
This financial compensation allows mesothelioma victims to not only get treatment but also take care of their families during a stressful and uncertain time.
Who’s eligible for mesothelioma financial assistance?
People who may be eligible for mesothelioma financial support include:
- Caregivers and spouses of mesothelioma patients
- Dependent children and surviving family members
- Estate representatives of patients who’ve passed away
- Veterans with mesothelioma from asbestos use in the military
Find out if you can access financial support for mesothelioma — get your free case review today.
Is there mesothelioma financial help for veterans with cancer?
Yes, there are financial assistance options available for veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
This may include disability compensation worth over $4,000 a month as well as free or discounted health care at VA mesothelioma treatment centers.
In addition to these VA benefits, veterans with mesothelioma may also qualify for compensation through legal claims against asbestos manufacturers responsible for their asbestos exposure.
Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to learn more about mesothelioma financial support for former service members and their families.
How much does it cost to treat mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma treatment costs vary depending on the type of treatment, your location, insurance coverage, and other factors.
The total cost of treatment can easily exceed $400,000. This doesn’t include out-of-pocket expenses like transportation to and from the hospital, parking, and any hotel stays.
A report published in the journal Rare Tumors found that the average cost for extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery (used to treat pleural mesothelioma) alone is $62,408.
Given these high costs, it’s important to know all of your mesothelioma financial assistance options and take advantage of any that apply to you.
Can spouses and caregivers get financial help for mesothelioma?
Yes, you might be eligible for financial assistance and support services if you’re married to or provide care for someone with mesothelioma.
Some potential options for mesothelioma financial help include:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Payouts from asbestos trust funds
- Settlements from a lawsuit
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- VA benefits
Contact us today for help accessing financial aid for mesothelioma
How We Can Help
