Essential Needs Grant

Essential Needs Grant is sponsored by Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation. Provides direct financial assistance to Colorado cancer patients undergoing active treatment to help cover essential, cancer-related living expenses such as housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation. Grants are paid directly to the applicant.

Essential Needs Grant – Ray of Hope Colorado Providing Stability During Cancer Treatment A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming—not just physically and emotionally, but financially as well. At Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation, we believe that no one should have to choose between life-saving treatment and affording basic necessities like housing, utilities, and food.

Our Essential Needs Grant program provides direct financial assistance to cancer patients across Colorado, ensuring they can focus on healing and recovery without the added stress of financial insecurity. These unrestricted monthly grants help cover: • Housing Costs – Rent or mortgage payments to keep a roof over their heads. • Utilities – Electricity, water, gas, and other essential services.

• Groceries & Nutrition – Ensuring access to healthy food during treatment. • Transportation – Gas, rideshare services, or public transit costs for medical appointments. Every month, we provide these grants to eligible cancer patients, offering immediate relief and peace of mind during one of the most challenging times in their lives.

Applying for an Essential Needs Grant The Essential Needs Grant provides a one-time $500 award to eligible Colorado cancer patients undergoing active treatment. Grants are paid directly to the applicant to help cover essential, cancer-related living expenses and ease financial stress during treatment. Applicants may receive this grant once per calendar year, unless otherwise stated.

Individuals who were previously denied are welcome to reapply, particularly if their medical or financial circumstances have changed. Funds cannot be issued to anyone other than the applicant, or the parent or legal guardian of a minor applicant. Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation reserves the right to request additional documentation at any point during the review process.

To be eligible for assistance, applicants must meet the following criteria: Colorado Residency: Must have lived in Colorado for at least 90 days. Active Cancer Treatment: Must be currently undergoing cancer treatment—including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, or post-surgical treatment—as verified by a medical provider within the past month or anticipated within the next month.

Financial Hardship: Monthly household expenses must exceed monthly household income due to cancer-related costs. Medical Verification: Application must include a completed Medical Verification Form confirming diagnosis and treatment, submitted by a licensed medical professional (such as a social worker, nurse navigator, or physician).

Exclusions: Individuals in long-term survivorship, monitoring only, or remission without ongoing treatment are not eligible. Complete the Online Application: Applicants (or their caregiver) must complete the Essential Needs Grant application by clicking the apply button below.

Medical Verification Form: To submit the application, a licensed healthcare professional—such as a social worker, nurse navigator, or physician—must complete and submit a Medical Verification Form confirming diagnosis and active treatment.

Required Documentation: Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents: Documentation showing a billing address (such as rent, utility bills, car payments, or insurance statements) Please note that incomplete applications or missing documentation may delay the review process or result in denial. Review & Approval Process All applications are reviewed monthly by Ray of Hope’s Grant Review Committee.

Each application is carefully evaluated and scored based on the applicant’s medical situation, financial need, and personal and household circumstances. Due to limited monthly funding, not all eligible applications can be approved, and submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Complete applications are reviewed during the month following submission.

Example: Applications submitted in January are reviewed in February. Medical professionals listed on the application are typically notified of a decision within 2–3 weeks after the review month. Approved grants are issued and mailed to the address provided on the application shortly after approval Due to limited monthly funding, not all eligible applications can be approved.

Applying does not guarantee funding. For questions about eligibility, documentation, or the application process, please contact grants@rayofhopecolorado. org .

Please note that Ray of Hope receives a high volume of applications and response times may vary.