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.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to Pink Aid, explain their Pink Purse program, and show you how to apply for this help.
What is Pink Aid?
Pink Aid is a national nonprofit that provides compassionate support and financial assistance to breast cancer patients. They claim to be the only organization that provides support within 48 hours, as many other breast cancer assistance programs take weeks or even months to process applications.
This organization is based in Westport, Connecticut. They help breast cancer patients in all states but their best offers are for local patients who live in Connecticut or Long Island, New York.
Pink Purse Program
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 $250.
The goal of this program is to help pay for critical non-medical expenses. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to the following:
- Cable bills
- Housing (rent or mortgage)
- Phone & cable bills
- Transportation
- Utilities
Help with transportation could be provided in the form of Uber gift cards, gas station gift cards, car loan payments or help with car insurance premiums.
Eligibility
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 an eligible area.
“Active treatment” is the period after a positive diagnosis, during which treatments are administered. Long-term hormonal therapies and reconstructive surgeries do not count as active treatment, unfortunately.
How to Apply
Pink Purse requires someone else to fill out your application on your behalf. Applications can be completed by a nurse navigator, hospital social worker, or administrator of a 501(c)(3) organization. You cannot apply for yourself.
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!
Pink Purse does not give money directly to patients. They provide the money directly to the service provider, such as a landlord or utility company. That is why transportation assistance is provided through gift cards or bill payments.
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!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.