Emergency Financial Relief
When You Need Help,
We're Here.
About the Emergency Financial Relief Program
A cancer diagnosis changes everything, including your finances. Special Love's Emergency Financial Relief (EFR) program exists to help shoulder the unexpected, non-medical expenses that pile up when a family is focused on their child's care. From utility bills to housing needs, we're here to help make sure finances don't become one more thing to carry.
Program At a Glance
EFR is available to families of children with cancer and bereaved families who are facing urgent, non-medical financial need. Families actively participating in Special Love programs may receive up to $2,000 per year. Families within our service area who are not yet involved with Special Love may receive one-time assistance of up to $500.
Who
What's Covered
Amount
Up to $2,000 per year for families active in Special Love programs; up to $500 one-time for families new to Special Love
How
Apply through a social worker or hospital representative
Cost
No cost to applicants
What This Program Covers
EFR funds are designed for non-medical urgent expenses that arise during a child's cancer journey.
Eligible expenses include:
- Housing costs (rent, mortgage)
- Utility bills (electricity, gas, water)
- Auto-related expenses (car payments, repairs, insurance)
- Funeral expenses
Hear From Recipients
Cost & How It's Made Possible
EFR assistance is provided at no cost to families. This program is made possible through the generosity of Special Love donors who understand that cancer's financial burden extends far beyond medical bills.
How to Request Assistance
EFR assistance is accessed through a social worker or hospital representative. If you're working with a social worker or patient navigator at your hospital or treatment center, ask them to reach out to Special Love on your behalf — they'll know the next steps.
The hospital social worker will provide Special Love with documentation about the child with cancer’s treatment as well as a copy of the bill to be paid. Our team works to review and approve EFR payments as soon as possible.
Questions? Contact finance@specialove.org
Frequent Questions
I am a caregiver with a financial emergency. Can I apply for assistance directly to Special Love?
No, all requests must be submitted on a family's behalf through their social worker/hospital representative.
Contact your child's social worker to begin the application process.
Does the family need to be enrolled in a Special Love program to apply?
Families of pediatric cancer patients (age 25 and under) who are treated in Maryland; Washington, DC; West Virginia and Virginia who have no prior participation in Special Love programming are eligible to request up to $500; Special Love families are eligible to request up to $2,000 per year.
Can a family apply for assistance more than once?
Yes, if you are an active Special Love family.
What documentation does my social worker need to provide?
They will need to request and complete an application and provide a copy of the bill to pay.
Will the family be required to repay the assistance?
No, the assistance is provided as a grant and does not need to be repaid.
What expenses are eligible for EFR?
The EFR program is intended to cover emergency expenses beyond medical care that help children with cancer and their families preserve safe, stable living conditions and basic needs, and to provide dignity and comfort for bereaved families managing funeral arrangements.
The EFR typically covers emergency expenses such as:
- Utilities (e.g. electric, gas, water, and wireline or wireless phone), which are in danger of being shut off for non-payment
- Auto repairs that are necessary to allow a parent or caregiver to provide transportation to and from medical treatments
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Other emergency situations involving basic living expenses
- Funeral expenses
Non-emergency expenses, such as cable television, credit card bills, gym memberships, etc. are ineligible.
Will the family receive the funding directly?
All payments are issued on behalf of the family directly to the payee/vendor indicated in the bill and application (utility company, landlord, funeral home, etc.)
How are requests considered? When will I know if my request has been granted?
As these requests are urgent in nature, Special Love works to review and process applications as quickly as possible through an internal process for eligibility.