Are you undergoing cancer treatment? Take advantage of financial assistance that will help you take care of your daily needs. Therapy for cancer patients, even if carried out free of charge, always involves additional costs. We are talking, for example, about transportation to the hospital or the purchase of medical equipment. Remember that you are not alone in your need. Check what benefits for cancer patients you can get.
Does Social Security grant benefits to cancer patients?
The Social Security benefits list does not include specialized benefits for oncology patients. All forms of support for sick people are granted on the basis of health status, not the type of specific disease entity. If you are insured with Social Security, you can count on sickness benefits, rehabilitation benefits or pensions, among others. In addition to cancer treatment, you can also receive guardianship and nursing care benefits, and targeted drug benefits. To receive a given benefit, you must apply to the Social Security Administration in person, electronically or by mail.
Cancer benefits vs. Social Security - what are you entitled to?
The first days after a cancer diagnosis are spent trying to find yourself in a new situation. You may not be able to continue working professionally in order to begin treatment as soon as possible. The first possible benefit from the Social Security that you may receive is a sickness benefit for inability to work. This type of benefit for cancer patients and non-cancer patients is granted for a maximum of 182 days. After that time, if your health condition requires it, you can continue to receive Social Security assistance and further benefits.
Very important benefits for oncology patients are rehabilitation benefits. For many patients, the process of treatment and recovery takes more than the aforementioned 182 days. If, after your sickness benefit ends, your health is promising for a return to work, the Social Security Administration may grant you rehabilitation benefits for up to 12 months.
Social Security disability pensions are cancer benefits that can be awarded periodically or permanently, depending on your condition and the decision of the medical examiner.
Do you want to return to work, but your health prevents you from performing your previous job duties? You can apply for a training pension, which will allow you to retrain and work in a new occupation tailored to your current abilities.
Benefits for oncology patients - KRUS
Are you insured in KRUS? Apply for cancer benefits! Of course, these are not special benefits for people undergoing cancer treatment, but help for all people who are ill and unable to work.
Sickness benefit from KRUS is a benefit granted for a maximum of 180 days. NOTE: If after this time you are still unable to work, but there are successful prognoses for your return to professional activity, KRUS may extend the benefit.
Cancer benefits from the Social Security Administration are also agricultural disability pensions. These are granted on a temporary or permanent basis, depending on your condition and the decision of the medical board/expert physician.
Cancer allowance - check MOPS aid rules
MOPS, the city's social welfare center, is an institution that assists people in difficult life situations caused by, among other things, long and serious illness or disability. If you have a low income, you can apply for social assistance. What kind of cancer treatment allowance can you get from MOPS? The institution does not have benefits dedicated to cancer patients. However, you can take advantage of other benefits and assistance simply designed for people in need.
Social assistance from the MOPS is in the form of allowances, including permanent allowance, periodic allowance or purpose allowance for the purchase of medicine or fuel. The allowance for cancer patients can also take a non-monetary form. We are talking about psychological counseling, care services at the place of residence or contributions to social and health insurance.
Apply for assistance from MOPS by mail or in person at the MOPS center with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Compile the documents needed for a specific benefit, including a certificate of income and health.
Benefits for cancer patients from PFRON and PCPR
Subsidies for the needs of people with disabilities are handled by the PFRON (State Fund for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities). As part of the assistance, you can get supplements for cancer treatment, including subsidies for rehabilitation holidays, the purchase of medical equipment or the cost of care services. At PFRON, you'll also get reimbursement for Social Security retirement and disability contributions.
PCPR, on the other hand, is the District Family Assistance Center. This is an institution through which you can also get funding for, for example, rehabilitation. The institution implements aid programs from the funds of the PFRON. In cities with county rights, the tasks of PCPR are performed by MOPS.
When using assistance from MOPS, PFRON or PCPR, remember that the amount of benefits and allowances depends on the degree of disability and income. Once received, assistance may be withdrawn if you no longer meet the conditions for granting it.
Large Family Card - a valuable addition for cancer patients
The KDR, or Large Family Card, is a range of discounts and entitlements for parents and spouses of parents who have/had a minimum of three children. Importantly, these children may already be adults. You apply for the card electronically or at the municipality/city office. KDR can be considered as a support to the daily budget, a financial supplement. For cancer patients with a range of expenses related to treatment, it will certainly be very helpful.
What does the Large Family Card provide?
KDR means discounts on transportation, culture and recreation, among other things. You can pay less for a train ticket if you are facing a long trip to a medical center. When sick, many people forget to relax or simply don't have the budget for it. Discounts to the cinema or museum are a great excuse to take a break from hospital events and spend time with your family. KDR also means discounts on groceries and lower electricity/gas fees. Thanks to the card, you will refuel more cheaply at selected gas stations.
Local governments are also concerned about the needs of large families. Check with the office responsible for your residence for a list of programs with discounts for large families. They usually include discounts on culture, recreation and shopping.
Benefits for cancer patients - where to find help?
Sometimes you'll get help closer than you think. Ask your employer about the Social Security Fund. This is the money allocated for social assistance for company employees. Any company with more than 50 employees belongs to the ZFŚS, but so do smaller ones (in which case participation is voluntary). And while these are not typical cancer benefits, with your employer's help you can get, among other things, subsidized child care while you are being treated in the hospital.
Buying medical products and equipment? Check whether the store or pharmacy has a contract with the National Health Service. Some establishments allow you to buy medical products at a discount. The order for them must be issued to you by an authorized person - a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, among others. What medical devices can you get a discount on? These may include, for example, diapers, an anti-decubitus mattress, crutches.
Benefits for cancer patients - support from foundations
Oncology foundations are where you will get material, psychological and organizational help. With the support of volunteers, you will go through cancer treatment step by step, knowing that you are not alone. If you need help or someone close to you is suffering from cancer, come to us. Cancer Fighters Foundation is a place for small and big Warriors.
Being our client, you can get cancer benefits, including start-up and social assistance. We will help you set up and promote collections for cancer patients. Your Oncoassistant will support you organizationally and mentally. We will provide you and your loved ones with psychological support.
Cancer Fighters are not only volunteers and specialists, but also, or rather most importantly, Fighters. You will meet people who are also undergoing cancer treatment. They know how you feel and what you are going through. Sometimes talking to them can change your approach to the disease and gain additional motivation for treatment.
Check out: cancer relief campaigns.
Want to find out how to get cancer benefits? Want to set up a collection for yourself or a loved one? Write to us, call us. We are here for you.
Sources:
- Check your medical devices, patient.gov.pl, date accessed. 25.08.2025r.
- Get a Large Family Card, gov.pl, date accessed. 25.08.2025r.
- Take advantage of social assistance, gov.pl, date accessed. 25.08.2025r.
- Benefits, zus.co.uk, date dost.25.08.2025.
- Kasa Rolniczego Ubezpieczenia Społecznego, gov.pl, date accessed.25.08.2025.
- pfron.org.pl, date accessed. 25.08.2025r.
