Mesothelioma Financial Assistance

Mesothelioma financial support can be life-changing for the patients and families impacted by this cancer. The average financial compensation for mesothelioma ranges from $1.1 million to $1.4 million. Learn how we can help you access legal compensation, travel grants, veterans benefits, and other forms of mesothelioma financial assistance.

Fact-Checked and Updated by: Jenna Tozzi, RN

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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

By providing these services at no cost, we can help you access mesothelioma treatment without worrying about how you’ll pay for it.

Get a Free Case Review today to see if your family can access financial assistance for mesothelioma.

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  • Over $30 billion available
  • No cost to file a claim
  • Avoid going to court

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Shara Fisher
Shara Fisher Senior Paralegal
17+ years providing legal help to mesothelioma victims

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.”

Jenna Tozzi, RN, Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope

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.”

Ginger, mesothelioma survivor

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 $9.6 billion in mesothelioma settlements and verdicts.

Get a Free Case Review today to discuss the details of your case and see if you qualify for mesothelioma compensation.

Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
  • Over $30 billion available
  • No cost to file a claim
  • Avoid going to court

Get a Free Case Review

Shara Fisher
Shara Fisher Senior Paralegal
17+ years providing legal help to mesothelioma victims

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 within 90 days.

Our team can file asbestos trust fund claims on your behalf while you focus on treatmentsee 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 pay almost $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.

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.

Learn more about paying for treatment in our Free Mesothelioma Guide, shipped overnight to your door.

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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 a 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.

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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 request a free case review to go over 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 mesotheliomaget 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 nearly $4,000 a month in many cases 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

Jenna TozziWritten by:

Chief Patient Care Advisor

Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to cancer patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.

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References
  1. American Cancer Society. “Things to Know About the Cost of Your Cancer Treatment.” Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment/managing-costs/the-cost-of-cancer-treatment.html
  2. Borrelli, E., Babcock, Z., & Kogut, S. (2019). Costs of medical care for mesothelioma. Rare tumors, 11, 2036361319863498. Retrieved September 18, 2024, from  https://doi.org/10.1177/2036361319863498
  3. Cancer Action Network. “The Costs of Cancer. Addressing Patient Costs.” Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://www.fightcancer.org/sites/default/files/Costs%20of%20Cancer%20-%20Final%20Web.pdf
  4. Center for American Progress. (2024, January 17). The State of Paid Family and Medical Leave in the U.S. in 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-state-of-paid-family-and-medical-leave-in-the-u-s-in-2024/
  5. Dee, E. C. (2023). Family and Caregiver Financial Toxicity Associated With Cancer-A Global, Inequitable, and Urgent Consideration. JAMA network open, 6(6), e2319317. Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.19317
  6. Iragorri, N., de Oliveira, C., Fitzgerald, N., & Essue, B. (2021). The Out-of-Pocket Cost Burden of Cancer Care-A Systematic Literature Review. Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 28(2), 1216–1248. Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol28020117
  7. Mayo Clinic. “Mesothelioma. Diagnosis & Treatment.” Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mesothelioma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375028
  8. National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Costs for Medical Care for Mesothelioma.” Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6637828/
  9. United States Government Accountability Office. “Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts.” Retrieved September 18, 2024, from http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/585380.pdf
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Mesothelioma Hope is passionate about helping patients and families affected by this aggressive cancer. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary and isolating, but we’re here for you at every step. Hope is only a phone call away.

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  • Apply for travel grants
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