Did you know that it could take up to five months before a diagnosed cancer patient may start receiving Social Security disability payments, which can often be much less than their annual income?*
Most patients then become faced with two challenges on top of the already overwhelming diagnosis:
- How to make a lower income work moving forward?
- How to catch up on bills that have accumulated?
During this time frame, cancer care case workers are the central point of assistance to patients and their families. They are faced with financial questions that they are typically not trained to answer. As a result, patients and their loved ones are left to figure out their finances on their own.
This is why the Gala of Hope Foundation (Gala of Hope), WPCU, WPCU’s Sunshine Community Fund and Dayton-area hospitals are partnering to provide a financial learning program called “Managing Your Finances Through Cancer.”
This pilot program has officially launched as of January 24, 2022 and is expected to serve 25-40 patients virtually throughout the remainder of the year.
This financial learning program pilot, “Managing Your Finances Through Cancer,” is a combination of 1:1 coaching, hands-on tools and a financial learning series of classes. It includes an initial triage step based on a financial needs assessment to determine immediate next steps. WPCU Financial Coaches, along with GreenPath Financial Wellness Counselors, will assist program participants. After the conclusion of this pilot, if the program is successful for participants, WPCU will make this a core program offering for our partnering hospitals and communities we serve by expanding the reach and capacity of the current pilot model.
If you have any questions about the pilot program, we ask that you send an email to [email protected].
To download the Managing Your Finances Through Cancer brochure, click here.
*Source: ssa.gov

