Pink Aid’s Pink Purse can provide up to $1,000 in emergency financial assistance for breast cancer patients! You could get help within just 48 hours.
This guide walks you through who qualifies, how much you might get, what it actually pays for, and how to apply with your care team. We’ll also share other trusted programs to check out if you don’t live in CT or Long Island.
Pink Purse at a Glance
- Grant amounts: Assistance is capped at $500 for most applicants. If you live in Connecticut or Long Island NY, you may be able to get up to $1,000. They do not consider applications for less than $300.
- Who is eligible: Breast cancer patients in active treatment who are experiencing a financial crisis. Household income at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- How often you can get help:
- How you apply: A nurse navigator, hospital social worker, or 501(c)(3) administrator must apply for you. Pink Purse does not accept self‑applications.
- Processing time: Assistance may be available within 48 hours
- How payment works: Pink Purse sends payments directly to landlords, utility companies, and other vendors, not to you.
What is Pink Aid Pink Purse?
Pink Aid is a nonprofit that supports people with breast cancer in a few different ways. They fund organizations, community programs, and direct help. One of their programs is called Pink Purse.
The Pink Purse Program was designed to provide immediate emergency financial assistance for breast cancer patients in the United States. The program provides up to $1,000 to patients who live in Connecticut or Long Island, New York. Outside of those areas, grants are capped at $500.
The goal of this program is to help pay for critical non-medical expenses. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to the following:
- Housing (rent or mortgage)
- Phone & cable bills
- Transportation (Uber gift cards, gas cards, car payments, car insurance, etc.)
- Utilities (electricity, heat, gas, hot water)
Pink Purse is meant for urgent, essential bills, not discretionary or luxury spending.
Funds are sent directly to your landlord, utility company, or other vendors. You do not receive the money in your own bank account.
Who is Eligible?
In order to be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be in active treatment for a breast cancer diagnosis.
- You must have an income that is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level
- You must live in the United States. Remember, Connecitcut and Long Island NY residents qualify for more.
The application also says that long‑term hormonal therapy alone does not count as active treatment. That means if your only current treatment is a pill like Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, you likely won’t qualify under the active‑treatment rule.
How to Apply
Pink Purse does not accept applications directly from patients.
Instead, your application must be submitted by one of these professionals:
- Nurse Navigator
- Hospital Social Worker
- Administrator of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is working with you
They complete the Pink Purse application packet, gather your documents, and send the request in on your behalf.
Your doctor must also provide a letter that confirms your diagnosis, explains your treatment and includes the date of your latest treatment. The letter must be signed and written on hospital letterhead.
Whoever fills out your application must also submit a signed letter verifying that you qualify for the Pink Purse assistance program. The person who helps you apply will need to see documentation proving that you meet the income limits. This documentation could include federal tax returns, pay stubs, Social Security Award letters or other documentation.
When your application is submitted, it must also include a recent bill that you want help with. The bill must be dated within the last 30 days and include your address. If you live in Connecticut or Long Island, New York, you must also submit a current lease or Proof of Residency form.
The application form can be found on the Pink Aid website.
Things to Remember
You can receive a grant from Pink Purse once every 12 months! Once you receive funds from this agency, you have to wait at least 12 months before you apply again. However, that means that you can apply again after 12 months if you are still eligible!
Applications are only accepted in English at this time.
Summary
The Pink Purse Program by Pink Aid is a great way to get help for breast cancer patients. If you need help with a bill, they can provide up to $1,000 in assistance every 12 months. This program is available nationwide although the highest grants are reserved for residents of Connecticut and Long Island, New York. Don’t forget to ask your social worker or medical team to apply for you!
