Financial Planning Resources
Planning and Managing the Costs of Multiple Sclerosis
Help With Daily Expenses
- The organizations below may help you with a variety of needs, including food, utility bills, cooling equipment and assistive technology. See their sites for eligibility criteria.
- Catholic Charities network assists with food, housing and household expenses.
- Community Action Agencies provide support with food, utility bills, home weatherization and job training.
- MS Association of America (MSAA) helps people living with MS who need cooling equipment and personal use equipment.
- MS Foundation (MSF) provides short-term financial assistance for assistive technology, computers, cooling equipment, doctor/dentist visits, home care, rent, respite care, transportation, utilities and wellness activities to people living with MS.
- Your state department of social or human services can assist with a range of needs including food insecurity, utility and medical bills, fuel and more. Find your state social services agency.
- Single Parents with MS assists with utilities, home accessibility needs, and medical equipment.
- Salvation Army serves individuals and families from all faiths. Emergency food, seasonal assistance, housing and utility assistance may be available.
- USA.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government. Use the USA.gov benefit finder tool to learn which benefits you and your family may be eligible for.
- Volunteers of America supports people with disabilities, seniors, Veterans and families. Services include mental health counseling, help finding affordable housing and childcare.
- Caregiver support
- Counseling
- Employment and education
- Food
- Healthcare
- Holiday/seasonal assistance
- Home care
- Housing and home repair
- Rent and utility bills
- Transportation
- Feeding America is a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and meal programs. Find a food bank near you and learn about mobile pantries. Search for Food Pantries with this online directory and get help with groceries in your area.
- Full Cart is a virtual food bank. It ships a one-time food box to neighbors in need at no cost.
- Meals on Wheels America provides food through 5,000 local programs. They focus on caring for people who find it hard to shop for food and prepare meals. Programs generally serve adults ages 60 and over, but age requirements can vary.
- No Kid Hungry Use the Free Meals Finder on their site to find free, healthy meals served to children under age 18 in your community.
- Accessible Housing
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HUD Exchange provides information on housing assistance, including tenant rights, fair housing and affordable housing.
- Locate accessible homes, townhomes and condominiums through the Barrier Free Home directory.
- Habitat for Humanity’s Home Preservation Program offers exterior home repair services to homeowners. Visit the Housing and Services Resource Center if you need housing help. These programs and resources are run or funded by the federal government.
- MS Foundation (MSF) provides short-term financial assistance for rent to people living with MS.
- Rebuilding Together provides free rehabilitation and critical repairs to the homes of low-income people, particularly the elderly or persons living with disabilities.
- Volunteers of America is a leading nonprofit provider of affordable housing. Their affordable housing network portfolio includes 20,000 affordable units.
- Centers for Independent Living (CILs) can provide information or referrals to programs in your area. Use the website to find the center for independent living (CIL) that serves your area.
- Community Action Agencies (CAAs) provide many services and resources so people with lower incomes can be self-sufficient. Use the website to find your local CAA.
- Lifeline lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for eligible consumers.
- The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps with heating and cooling bills. The program may also provide free air conditioners in some states. Use the LIHEAP search tool to find your local program.
- MS Foundation (MSF) provides short-term financial assistance to people living with MS for utilities.
- Assistive technology can make living with MS easier. It can include adaptive utensils, orthotic devices and voice recognition software. Find programs and insurance options that will reduce the cost in the Guide to Medical and Assistive Equipment.
- Health insurance may help cover some of the costs of your care. Find more information about finding coverage on our website.
- Medication assistance programs can help you cover the cost of treatments you need to manage MS. See Patient Assistance Programs and the Guide to Prescription Financial Assistance for help paying for prescription medications.
- Heat can make MS symptoms worse. Cooling equipment and vests can help you manage your temperature. Some organizations provide free equipment to people living with MS. Your health insurance may also help.
- MRI exams can be an ongoing expense for people with MS. Learn about MRI costs. If paying out of pocket, explore affordable options like Radiology Assist.
- MS Association of America (MSAA) helps people living with MS who need cooling equipment and personal use equipment.
- MS Foundation (MSF) provides short-term financial assistance to people living with MS. Eligible expenses include:
- Assistive technology
- Computers
- Cooling equipment
- Doctor/dentist visits
- Home care
- Rent
- Respite care
- Transportation
- Utilities
- Wellness activities
- MS, I’mpossible helps young adults living with MS (under the age of 40). This nationwide non-profit works to cover the costs of:
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Holistic wellness
- Nutrition / dietician services
- Fitness coaching
- Emergency medical bills
- Insurance copays
- Hospital stays
- In My Running Shoes helps people with chronic illnesses stay active and engaged in their communities by providing grants to help offset the cost of medical equipment, devices or services not covered by typical healthcare channels. Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Athletic equipment
- Medical devices
- Rehabilitation services
Financial Planning Resources for People Living With MS
- Established in 2006, the Financial Education Partners (FEP) program provides financial planning services and education to people affected by MS. All professional services are provided confidentially and at no cost to the individual. To qualify for the program, individuals must meet eligibility criteria. A planning session covers a variety of topics including:
- Ways to save
- Insurance analysis
- Employee benefits analysis (medical plans, disability coverage and life insurance)
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
- Legal planning
- ABLE accounts are saving accounts for people with disabilities who qualify. They allow individuals to save for and pay for important qualifying disability expenses. They do not change your eligibility for most federal assistance programs, like Medicaid and SSI.
- American Association of Daily Money Managers offers a database of professionals who can help with finances.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides worksheets and publications to help:
- Create a budget
- Make informed financial decisions
- Use credit wisely
- Save at tax time and more
- The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is a financial education and counseling group. Non-profit credit counselors help you take charge of your finances. They can help review your household budget, credit card debt, student loans, housing decisions and money management.
- Visit the IRS for more information about free tax help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (TCE). IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation. They may also help with electronic filing.
- Many college scholarship and financial aid programs are available to students affected by MS. Explore our Scholarship Resources page.
- If you’re diagnosed early in life, you may not have thought about life and long-term care insurance. You may wonder if it’s too late to do so now. But it’s worth looking into both life and long-term care insurance even after your diagnosis. Our Life and Long-Term Care Insurance page will help you shop for policies and apply.
- Elder law attorneys handle a range of legal matters affecting seniors and adults with disabilities. Learn more about elder law and special needs law. Consult these resources for a referral.
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is a professional association of elder law and disability planning attorneys. Use the site to find an attorney experienced in working with older adults and people of all ages with disabilities. NAELA also has a video series on the legal care and planning for people living with MS.
- National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) provides referrals to certified elder law attorneys. Access their consumer site GetElderLaw.com to learn about elder law issues and find a certified attorney.
- Special Needs Alliance provides referrals for attorneys who have experience in special needs law.
- Estate planning allows you to determine how your assets will be handled in the event of incapacity or death. Learn more about estate planning for a life with MS. To find an estate planning professional, contact American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.
- An advanced medical directive helps ensure that your medical care wishes are followed in the future. Learn more about how this works and how to set one up on our Advance Medical Directives page.
Guide: Financial Planning for a Life With Multiple Sclerosis
Prepare for the financial challenges that often accompany life with MS. Learn to evaluate your assets, income and benefits and manage your debt.
Other Financial Resources
- Outside the U.S.? Use the MS International Federation’s tool to find the MS organization serving your country. Contact them directly for more information.
- Members of the military and veterans may qualify for benefits that can cover certain costs related to living with MS. See the Veterans With MS page for more details.
- With planning, you will be better prepared to face upheavals like floods, fires and earthquakes. Our Natural Disasters and Emergencies page will help you prepare for difficult or dangerous circumstances as a person living with MS.