Living Donor Grant (Patient Assistance Program)

Living Donor Grant (Patient Assistance Program) is sponsored by American Transplant Foundation. Provides direct financial assistance to living organ donors who will experience a loss of wages during recovery from their donation surgery that leads to financial difficulty in paying for essential living expenses such as rent, electric, automobile, and phone bills.

Patient Assistance Program Patient Assistance Program You are here: Home 1 / Our Programs 2 / Patient Assistance Program We believe that every transplant recipient deserves financial peace of mind during their recovery. Donate to this program here to ensure transplant families can receive the lifesaving financial aid they need. Lifesaving Funds Provided!

Transplant Recipients and Living Donors Helped! Hear From Others We've Helped Support this program by joining our Save a Life Giving Club We offer two different types of one-time grants, please click the grant to bring you to the specific guidelines.

Transplant Recipient Grant : Support for medication co-payments, delinquent insurance premiums, rent, or any other essential living expenses that contribute to a successful transplant recovery. Submitted post-transplant. Living Donor Grant: Support for living donors who will experience extreme financial need as a result of loss of wages during the time needed to recover after surgery.

Submitted at least 2–3 weeks pre-transplant. This is the only program of its kind nationwide that provides direct financial assistance grants to solid organ transplant recipients and living organ donors, regardless of their legal status . All financial decisions are made by our volunteer voting committee, the Transplant Leadership Council (TLC).

We do not receive any government funding and rely on generous individuals to provide lifesaving donations that benefit patients in need. Each application must be completed by the transplant center's Social Worker or Coordinator in order to be considered. Please refer to the Grant Applications and the FAQs sections for more details on the specific application processes.

Patients seeking assistance should contact their assigned transplant program social worker or coordinator for submission. Our program is designed to provide financial assistance for the most vulnerable transplant patients and living donors with significant financial hardship. Applications will only be considered for individuals and families making up to 150% of current federal poverty guidelines .

To help ensure equitable access to assistance nationwide, ATF maintains program-level submission and funding guidelines for transplant centers. Please refer to our FAQs section below for details regarding annual submission limits, funding considerations, and the application review process. Due to a high volume of applications, please expect 3-6 weeks for application processing .

Unfortunately, we cannot consider incomplete applications and cannot follow up with each applicant. Status updates are sent automatically to the applicant (social worker or coordinator) via email. If you have any questions or if you are having trouble with the application, please see our FAQ section or contact us at support@americantransplantfoundation.

org . patient Assistance program grant applications Transplant Recipient Grant The Transplant Recipient Grant provides emergency assistance to cover the essential living expenses (medications, insurance, rent, groceries, utility bills, etc.) that would otherwise pose a direct financial barrier to the patient’s post-transplant care . This one-time grant is available for up to $500.

Grant amount is determined on a case-by-case basis and the funding we have available for the program. Information and Guidelines Applications for transplant recipients must be submitted post-surgery. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; funding depends on the availability of funds.

Transplant Recipients who have received any solid organ transplant. Patient must not have received a prior grant from the American Transplant Foundation. Patients must reside in the United States; legal status is not questioned.

Eligible candidates include those undergoing post-transplant care who are experiencing financial difficulty with essential living expenses (i.e. medications/insurance, rent/mortgage, groceries, transportation to appointments). Patients who are making up to 150% of federal poverty guidelines. This is a one-tim e, temporary assistance grant to bridge the gap.

This grant is NOT appropriate for individuals needing long-term, ongoing assistance. Please contact your social worker regarding extended funding from other resources (i. e supplemental insurance, drug manufacturer programs, local/state programs) or check out our Financial Resource Guide .

Transplant Social Worker's responsibility: Please include as much detail as possible about the patient's financial and health situation. We are driven by our desire to help patients and their families, and we need your help to have an accurate picture of the situation the patient is dealing with. RECOMMENDED: Please encourage your patients to share their story via a letter and/or photo.

You can attach this as a part of the application or patients can simply email it to support@americantransplantfoundation. org. Application updates are sent via email directly to the social worker or coordinator.

Please ensure your email address is correct and support@americantransplantfoundation. org is on your safe sender list. After application is submitted: Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility for financial assistance is based on the sole discretion of the American Transplant Foundation and is subject to the availability of funds. All funding decisions are final, and applications may be approved for a different amount than requested at the discretion of the voting committee. Due to high volume, please allow 3-6 weeks for processing and TLC Committee Review.

If the application fits our above guidelines and is approved by the committee, you will receive a response via email . All disbursements are made directly to the patient -- it is critical to have the correct patient's address. PDF application outlines: These guides are printable to help you collaborate with the patient.

These will NOT be accepted for submission, please use the web portal linked below. Application guide for Transplant Recipients (English) Application guide for Transplant Recipients (Spanish) If you have any questions, please email support@americantransplantfoundation. org for assistance.

Applications are temporarily paused as we enhance our Patient Assistance Program for 2026. We’re developing an improved application and review process to better serve transplant patients and living donors. Please check back soon for updates.

Please contact support@americantransplantfoundation. org if you have questions while completing this application. Donating an organ is a significant choice and our goal is to help alleviate some of the financial burdens for those who choose to give the Gift of Life !

The Living Donor Grant is intended to help patients who are employed and will experience a loss of wages during recovery from their donation surgery that leads to financial difficulty in paying for their essential living expenses such as rent, electric, automobile, and phone bills. This grant is available for up to $500.

Information and Guidelines Applications for living donors must be submitted at least 2-3 weeks before the scheduled surgery date. If you do not have an exact surgery date, please use an approximate surgery date and make note on the application.

Applications for Living Donors after the surgery will only be considered if the patient has significant complications within 30 days after the surgery and is required to take more time off than originally planned. Living Organ Donors who are donating solid organs. Typically, the individuals and families we help are making up to 150% of current federal poverty guidelines.

Patient must not have received a prior grant from the American Transplant Foundation. Patients must reside in the United States; legal status is not questioned. This is a one-time, temporary assistance grant to bridge the gap.

This grant is NOT appropriate for individuals needing long-term, ongoing assistance. Please contact your social worker regarding extended funding from other resources (i. e supplemental insurance, drug manufacturer programs, local/state programs) or check out our Financial Resource Guide .

We compensate for the wages lost during the recovery period for living organ donors. Patients must be employed and experience a loss of income while recovering from surgery. Financial assistance covers loss of wages during the hospital stay and/or recovery due to organ donation; these wages would normally go towards essential living expenses such as rent, electric, automobile, and phone bills.

Priority is given to living donors who: Lack paid time off to cover lost wages and/or disability benefits/access to employee assistance programs Have no social support/no opportunity to do fundraising through nonprofit organizations to cover expenses associated with donation Have a recipient who is unable to help with any direct expenses related to donation Have a physically demanding job that will require a longer post-surgery recovery Are non-directed living donors Both recipient and donor are members of the same household, both are employed and will be affected by lost wages Transplant Social Worker's Responsibility: Please send confirmation of surgery to the Foundation via email the day of the surgery.

We will then release funds within 2-3 business days of notification. Funds are sent via check directly to the patient. To be considered, applications need to include the following paperwork: Letter from Employer: All applicants must provide a letter from their current employer.

Due to liability regulations, this letter is a required portion of the Patient Assistance Program application. Please provide your patient with this PDF that includes employer letter guidelines and an example letter. Patient's most recent pay stub ( Optional): This will help us to expedite the application.

We reserve the right to request this, as well as the previous year's tax records, if needed, for income verification. Minimum of one vendor (i.e. rental agency) will need to be included in the application. We ask for vendor name, phone, total amount owed, and amount to be covered with this grant.

Application updates are sent via email directly to the social worker or coordinator. Please ensure your email address is correct and support@americantransplantfoundation. org is on your safe sender list.

After application is submitted: Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility for financial assistance is based on the sole discretion of the American Transplant Foundation and is subject to the availability of funds. All funding decisions are final, and applications may be approved for a different amount than requested at the discretion of the voting committee.

Due to high volume, please allow 3-6 weeks for processing and TLC Committee Review. If the application fits our above guidelines and is approved by the committee, you will receive a response via email . All disbursements are made directly to the patient -- it is critical to have the correct patient's address.

PDF application outlines: These guides are printable to help you collaborate with the patient. These will NOT be accepted for submission, please use the web portal linked below. PAP application guide for Living Donors PAP application guide for Living Donors (Spanish) If you have any questions, please email support@americantransplantfoundation.

org for assistance. Applications are temporarily paused as we enhance our Patient Assistance Program for 2026. We’re developing an improved application and review process to better serve transplant patients and living donors.

Please check back soon for updates. Please contact support@americantransplantfoundation. org if you have questions while completing this application.

Q: Who can submit the applications? A: Transplant Social Workers/Coordinators must submit the online application on behalf of their patients. Q: When should applications be submitted?

A: For transplant recipients, applications may be submitted any time after the transplant. For living donors, applications must be submitted at least 2-3 weeks prior to the surgery; we ask that you then email us to confirm that the surgery has taken place. Q: What information should I include?

A: As much detail as possible about the patient's financial and health situation! We are driven by our desire to help patients and their families, and we need your help to have an accurate picture of the situation the patient is dealing with. Please take the time to describe in detail why the patient is in need of assistance.

If we need more information, we will contact you via email. Q: Is there a limit to how many applications a transplant center can submit? A: Yes.

To help ensure equitable access and support for transplant patients nationwide, each transplant center may submit up to six (6) applications per calendar year, subject to overall program funding. Q: Is there a limit to how many applications can be funded per transplant center? A: Typically, ATF can fund a maximum of three (3) applications per transplant center per calendar year.

Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Q: When can I expect a funding decision after submitting? A: Depending on the number of applicants, processing time can be anywhere between 3-6 weeks.

Q: How are applicants reviewed and funding decisions made? A: Applications are first reviewed by ATF staff to ensure they meet program guidelines. Eligible applications are then evaluated by our volunteer Transplant Leadership Council (TLC) based on demonstrated financial need, quality of documentation, and alignment with ATF’s mission.

All funding decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Q: How am I notified of the status of an application I submitted? A: All updates and decisions are sent automatically to the social worker/coordinator’s email that was entered into the application, including inquiries for more information.

We recommend adding our email to your safe senders or frequently checking your spam folder. Due to an extremely high number of applicants, we will NOT respond to direct inquiries regarding application status. However, if it is past the review window of 3-6 weeks and you feel there may be an issue, we will assist you.

Q: Why is accurate transplant administrator contact information required on every application? A: Accurate administrator contact information ensures clear communication. Once a transplant center reaches its annual submission limit, ATF will notify the administrator directly.

This helps support timely processing of applications and funding updates. A: The application will ask for a vendor. A vendor is any entity to which the patient will use these funds for.

This can be their landlord/mortgage company, utility company, pharmacy, insurance, etc. This information is essential to understand how these funds will be used. Q: Who will be receiving the funds if approved? A: The funds are sent directly via check to the patient at the address on the application.

We will confirm this address with you prior to sending the funds, but please try to double-check that the address is correct. Q: Do you have to be a U.S. legal resident to receive assistance? Do you have to live in the U.S.?

A: No, we don’t receive any government funds and are proud to consider all applicants regardless of their legal status. Yes, all applicants have to reside in the United States of America. Q: Can an unemployed living donor apply for assistance?

A: No. Because this program covers lost wages, it is required that the living donor be employed at the time of the surgery. Q: Where does ATF receive funding for this program? A: ATF does not receive government funding.

Funding comes solely from donations/sponsorships. If you are a social worker or living donor coordinator, the best way you can support this program is to talk to your administrator or director about this program. All sponsorships go directly to the patient assistance fund, are 100% tax-deductible, and come with additional marketing benefits depending on support level.

Q: Is funding for this program guaranteed? A: No. Funding availability depends on overall program resources. All funding decisions are final.

Q: Is there a maximum amount that patients can receive in PAP grants? A: Currently, maximum grants are $500 for all transplant recipients and living donors. Although we sincerely wish to provide every applicant with the maximum amount, we are currently receiving a high number of applications and may offer differing amounts to each applicant.

Q: Does ATF offer state-specific or regionally designated funding? A: Yes. ATF accepts donor-restricted gifts designated for transplant patients in specific states or regions.

These funds allow us to expand support locally without reducing resources from our National Patient Assistance Fund. A: To explore creating state-specific funding, please contact support@americantransplantfoundation. org .

Q: Are there any additional programs available through your foundation? A: Yes! We offer several other incredible programs intended to help transplant recipients, living donors, and their families.

We deeply value the relationships we have built with transplant centers across the country and consider our social work partners an essential part of the care team for our patients. We ask that all interactions with our team be conducted with mutual respect and professionalism.

Our staff and volunteers give their time and hearts to this work, and we are committed to maintaining a collaborative and supportive environment for everyone involved. To that end, the American Transplant Foundation kindly reserves the right to reassess partnerships with transplant centers in situations where our team, our process, or our program guidelines are not treated with basic courtesy and respect.

Social Worker Testimonials A special thank you to our Patient Assistance Program Sponsor: You can make a donation to this program in honor or in memory of someone here . For more information, please see our FAQ page . The American Transplant Foundation (ATF) is the only 501 (c)(3) nonprofit in the country that provides three tiers of support for living donors, transplant recipients, and their families.

We go beyond awareness by providing real help to patients who need it the most. Join us and be part of the community fighting for the lives of those on the transplant wait list. Join our online community where you can share, reflect, connect.

Potential Living Donor Database 1+1=LIFE Mentorship Program Join Save a Life Giving Club Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.