When illness comes home, your bills shouldn't win.

Nonprofit hospitals are required by federal tax law to have a written financial assistance policy (FAP) and to make it widely available. Ask the billing office for the FAP and an application, even if you have insurance, and ask for an itemized bill so you can check every charge.

The federal No Surprises Act protects most people from surprise bills for emergency care and for certain out-of-network care at in-network facilities. If you're uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a Good Faith Estimate before scheduled care.

• Ask: "Do you have a financial assistance policy, and can you screen me for it?"
• Ask for an itemized bill and an interest-free payment plan before paying anything large.
• Don't put medical bills on a high-interest credit card until you've asked about assistance.

Social Security runs two disability programs. SSDI is based on your work history. SSI is needs-based, for people with limited income and resources. For 2026 the federal SSI maximum is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 for a couple (some states add to it).

Compassionate Allowances is how Social Security flags conditions that clearly meet its disability standards, mainly certain cancers, adult brain disorders and some rare childhood disorders, so it can decide those claims faster. For SSDI there is generally a five-full-month waiting period after the date your disability began. Medicare usually starts after 24 months of SSDI entitlement (sooner for ALS).

• Apply as early as you can. Waiting periods are counted from when your disability began, not from when you apply.
• Check whether your condition is on the Compassionate Allowances list.

Many drug manufacturers run patient assistance programs, and nonprofit foundations help with copays for specific diagnoses. If you have Medicare, Extra Help is a Medicare program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays for people with limited income and resources. Medicare.gov lists 2026 limits of $23,940 in income for an individual ($32,460 for a married couple).

• NeedyMeds: free nonprofit database of patient assistance programs and discount resources.
• HealthWell Foundation and CancerCare: copay and financial assistance (funds open and close by diagnosis).
• Ask your doctor whether a generic or lower-cost alternative is available.

Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period to care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition. Some states also offer paid family leave; the rules vary by state.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program, run through local Area Agencies on Aging, can offer respite care, counseling and training. Family caregivers of eligible veterans may qualify for VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

• Find your local Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator.
• Ask your state Medicaid office whether home- and community-based programs can help with care at home. Options vary by state.

Many states let a doctor's certificate delay a utility shutoff when someone in the home is seriously ill. The federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse keeps a state-by-state summary of these protections. Lifeline gives a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone or internet service for eligible households, including those on SNAP, Medicaid, SSI or Veterans Pension, or with income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.

• Call your utility: ask about medical protections, payment arrangements and budget billing, and get it in writing.
• Apply for LIHEAP energy help through your state.
• Call or text 211 for local help with rent, utilities and food.
• Pause or cancel subscriptions and memberships you aren't using right now.