Financial Concerns
How will my finances be affected now that my cancer treatment is done?
What can I do to help manage my financial issues?
Try to keep important dates and paperwork organized to avoid unnecessary stress:
- Keep track of due dates to submit applications and claims on time. You may find that writing them on a special calendar or setting electronic reminders works for you.
- If you have private insurance, check your insurance policy to see what medications are covered and what other benefits are offered.
- Write down a list of questions you have regarding drug coverage before calling an insurance representative.
Another valuable resource is to contact your human resources department. They can provide more information about the work insurance coverage and access to the funds. For more information about returning to work, see Back to Work.
Speak with your bank manager or personal financial advisor. They may have advice on how to deal with money problems.
Coming up with a budget – even if it’s just a rough list of expected expenses – can help you manage your finances. It helps you track where the money is coming and going. Some tips include:
- Create a table of all your expenses. It is a great way to visualize your budget. See the Create your budget planner.
- Write down a ‘budget period’ – beginning with the start date of your budget and the end date
- Look over your bank statement, bills, and receipts to help track your expenses
- There are budget applications available to download on your devices. Use the tool that works best for you!
Some questions you may want to consider include:
- How will time off from work for you and your partner change your income?
- What direct costs will you encounter? Direct costs may be:
- Transportation to follow-up appointments (e.g. gas, parking, OPUS card)
- Over- the counter medication/creams not covered by RAMQ or private insurance
- Equipment
- What indirect costs will you encounter? Indirect costs may be:
- Babysitting expenses if you aren’t well
Housekeeper to help you with house chores
If you are unsure what programs or benefits you qualify for, you can check online by following this link.
You can create a budget planner to help you keep track of your finances.
- On one half of the page, write down the money you have ‘coming in’ such as your salary, pension or tax benefits.
- On the other half of the page, write down your expenses such as loans, mortgages, medication costs, transportation, food, clothing, home maintenance, and personal items.
- You can then see the difference between income and expenses more easily.
- Use the table as a template and personalize it.
Income | Expenses |
Salary: ____________________________ Pension: __________________________ Investment dividends: ________________ Alimony/child support: ________________ Other payments: ____________________
| Mortgage/rent: ________________________ Maintenance/condo fees: ________________ Property tax: ___________________________ Property insurance: _____________________ Hydro: ________________________________ Heating: ______________________________ Water/sewer: __________________________ Telephone: ____________________________ Cable/internet: _________________________ Groceries: ____________________________ Restaurants/takeout orders: ______________ Medications: __________________________ Medical expenses not covered by health plan or insurance: ____________________________ Clothing: _____________________________ Dry Cleaning: _________________________ Car payments: ________________________ Car insurance: ________________________ Gasoline: ____________________________ Car maintenance/repairs: ________________ Parking fees: _________________________ Public transit: __________________________ Pet food/vet bills: _______________________
|
What help do I need?
It is important that you get the support and advice that you need to deal with financial issues. It is common to feel burdened by financial concerns and needs relating to cancer.
If you feel that you are unable to cope on your own, your healthcare team can refer you to social worker who may be able to help.
Where can I find help?
Working through financial concerns and needs by yourself can be difficult. If you feel that you could benefit from talking to a resource, do not hesitate to ask.
- You can ask your doctor to refer you to a social worker or caseworker who can help you better understand your insurance coverage and offer guidance on submitting necessary paperwork. They can also refer you to assistance programs that help in dealing with bills. Please note that all information that is discussed with a social worker or healthcare professional is confidential.
- A financial advisor should be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to navigating and adjusting your circumstances to deal with the cost of care.
- Ask your pivot nurse or social worker to recommend a support group. It can be reassuring to hear that you are not alone in your financial concerns and needs. Talking with others who might be experiencing financial difficulties similar to yours can be helpful.
- The Quebec Cancer Foundation provides a resource directory where you can search for the organizations near you offering a variety of services including home help, transportation, and other supportive resources. They also offer a financial assistance program, for which you may be eligible.
Asking for help from family and friends can be difficult. However, they can be a helpful resource. You can start by assigning them to help with tasks that you know they can follow through on such as:
- Setting up a system to keep track of your finances.
- Calling agencies to figure out what financial assistance and other benefits and programs you are eligible for.
- Organizing fundraising efforts.
What can I do to look after myself?
Financial difficulties are stressful to manage. Take it step-by-step, addressing your financial concerns a little at a time. This can make it more manageable. For more information see Problem Solving When You’re Feeling Uncertain or Worried.
It is important that you don’t dwell on only financial difficulties—you can allow yourself to make time to integrate your personal care. Try some breathing exercises to reduce your stress—focus on slow-deep breathing which can calm your whole body. For more information see Relaxation Strategies.
Financial Tools and Resources
Budget planners
Institution | Website |
Government of Canada | |
Desjardins | |
Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF)/ Authorities of the Financial Market | https://lautorite.qc.ca/en/general-public/calculators-and-tools/budget-tables |
Government Programs
Institution | Services Offered |
Provides a variety of benefits to cancer patients and survivors including: · Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits · Regular Employment Insurance · Canada Pension Plan-Disability | |
Helps people living in Quebec who contributed to the plan. They will need to meet eligibility criteria. |
Private Programs
Among the private resources are employer-funded programs. They can provide income to employees who are unable to work due to sickness or injury.
Short Term disability programs
An employer or an insurance company may offer short-term disability programs. They may provide partial wages to employees who were off work for a short time.
Long term disability
Some employers and insurance companies provide long-term disability. They may partially replace the wages of people who have been off work for an extended time. They will need to provide medical evidence showing they are unable to work.
For more information, see Private programs | Short-term disability | Long-term disability.
Available services
The Quebec Cancer Foundation supports people with cancer and their loved ones throughout Quebec, through services suited to their needs and daily concerns.
Services offered for burden
Several services and activities offered by the Quebec Cancer Foundation can be useful to help ease your financial concerns including corporate support programs, educational conferences, Financial and Legal assistance programs and complementary lodging and accommodation centers.
Telephone peer-matching can connect you with someone who may have similar experiences. You can call the Info-Cancer hotline for more information and get the help you need.
Info-Cancer Library is a document lending service which covers a wide range of topics related to cancer. Their materials include books, web resources, online articles, and webcasts. They are free to borrow, and materials are sent by mail or email anywhere in Quebec.
Their information services also feature a virtual library.
Contact
1 (800) 363-0063
The mission of the Quebec Breast Cancer foundation is to prioritise the wellbeing of people who have been affected by cancer and their families through research and innovation, support, and awareness.
They offer many services including information and support hotlines, as well as resources adapted to the needs of people affected by cancer and their families.
Services offered for financial concerns
The Quebec Breast Cancer foundation offers psychosocial support and family counselling. The social workers from their support service can help with strategies to cope with your Financial Concerns. You can contact their support help line here for private or peer support.
The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation also offers a financial aid program to those eligible.
Contact
1-855-561-ROSE soutien@rubanrose.org
They offer support for people with cancer and their family, friends, and caregivers.
Their information specialists are there to answer your questions and offer up-to-date, reliable information on topics that include:
- cancer treatment and side effects
- clinical trials
- coping with cancer
- emotional support services
- prevention
- help in the community
- complementary therapies
Services offered for financial concerns
The Cancer Information helpline is available Monday to Friday in English and French from 6am to 6pm EST. For other languages, they can access an interpreter service.
Website and live-chat:
Talk to an information specialist | Canadian Cancer Society
Contact
Cancer information and support | Canadian Cancer Society
Online Community:
Service locators
Below is a list of organizations that can help identify local support services for you and those that support you. The quality of the services has not been verified by e-IMPAQc. Before using these services, verify with your healthcare practitioner.
The Regroupement des Organisations Communautaires en Oncologie (ROCO) offers a service locator resource specific to the province of Quebec. It lists support resources available by region.
Contact
514-506-3503
The Quebec Cancer Foundation offers a resources directory of community, association and public resources by region or postal code.
Contact
1-800-363-0063 (Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST)
Acknowledgement of sources
The content of this document has been adapted from the following sources:
- Canadian Cancer Society, Finances
- Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, Work and financial aspects of survivorship
- Cancer and Work, Government programs
- Cancer and Work, Private programs
- Cancer Council (Australia), Cancer and Your Finances
- E-IMPAQc_FinancialConcerns_V22022—4-22
- McGill University/St. Mary’s Research Center, Looking Forward, Chapter 6, Section 6
Healthcare professional endorsement
The content of this document has been reviewed and approved by a team of healthcare professionals and clinical experts.
Disclaimer
Please note that this fact sheet is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a healthcare professional. Rather, it was designed to complement interventions by your treating team. If you have questions about your health, or any medical issue, you should contact a healthcare professional right away. You should not delay seeking medical advice, or disregard professional medical advice, because of information in this fact sheet. Before beginning any health treatment, always consult your doctor. All care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate at the time of publication. e-IMPAQc is not responsible for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of, or related to, any use of the fact sheet, or because of any errors or omissions.
Reproduction and copyright
Any reproduction or distribution, in whole or in part, of this webpage is prohibited without obtaining prior written consent of the e-IMPAQc project lead. Permission can be obtained by writing to e.impaqc.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
