If you’re living with multiple sclerosis or another chronic illness, the MS Funding Alliance runs a few different funding programs worth knowing about, even though the name mentions MS specifically.
Who Can Apply?
You don’t need an MS diagnosis to qualify. According to the organization, “anyone living in the U.S. with a chronic illness — including Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Diabetes, Cancer, or another long-term condition — is eligible to apply.”
Emergency Stability Program
This is short-term financial help for people facing an urgent crisis that threatens their housing, utilities, or access to medical care. It can cover things like temporary housing, medical bills, utility bills, transportation to medical appointments, and basic living expenses.
The organization doesn’t publish a specific maximum award amount for this program.
Financial Resilience Microgrant Program
This program offers $500 microgrants meant to help people with chronic illness take a step toward their personal or professional growth. You can use the funding to pursue your education, start a small business or even explore new wellness goals.
Unlike the emergency program, the microgrant doesn’t stay open all the time. Applications open periodically, and MS Funding Alliance recommends joining its notification list so you know exactly when a new application window opens (msfundingalliance.org).
How Do You Apply?
The applications for these grants aren’t always open. The best way to make sure you know when and how to apply is to visit the pages on the MS Funding Alliance website and sign up for their email newsletters.
Relief Recap
Chronic illness assistance programs are often scattered and hard to find, and this one covers more ground than its name suggests. For a broader list of financial help built specifically for chronic illness, check out our guide to financial help for chronic illnesses.
