proudly presents

Canberra Financial Hardship Grant (CFHG) Program

REGISTRATION FORM

The Canberra Financial Hardship Grant (CFHG) Program is a subsidiary program of the Brain Cancer Support Team (BCST), an initiative of the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation (ABCF). It is designed to provide financial relief to PRIMARY brain cancer patients (benign or malignant of all ages) and their families in the Canberra region. The FHG Program is in development and due to roll out in 2025 to provide compassionate, practical financial relief for families affected by brain cancer.  
  
This pre-registration of interest form allows families and individuals to express their interest in the program and stay informed about its development. Once the program is ready to launch, those who have pre-registered will be among the first to receive updates, application information, and details about available support. 
  
The CFHG Program is being developed to offer brain cancer patients, care givers and their immediate family assist with: 

  •  Accommodation and travel expenses for treatment 
  • Childcare during medical procedures or treatments 
  • Access to rehabilitation services 
  • Counselling for patients, carers, and family members 
  • Tutoring and after-school support for children 
  • Essential household expenses (e.g., groceries, utility bills) 
  • End-of-life wishes and memory-making experiences 
  • A one-off payment of $10,000 for Celebration of Life costs 
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to secure the necessary funding to bring this program to life.  The ABCF is committed to supporting families in their time of need, and we look forward to sharing updates on the CFHG Program in the near future. 

The ABCF is dedicated to developing this new program to support the community, patients, and their families.  We want to hear feedback and suggestions directly from the community to ensure our programs continue to meet your needs and how we can continue to support you.  

The ABCF is committed to enhancing its initiatives and providing the brain cancer community with the vital support it needs. We value your input and would like to know the areas where you need the most assistance. Please complete the Patient and Community Feedback Questionnaire below to help us better support you. 

Complete the Feedback Questionnaire
Guidelines and Application
The Canberra Financial Hardship Grant (CFHG) Program, developed by the ABCF is divided into: 
 PART A: General Guidelines for Grant Submission
 PART B: Grant Application Form
 PART C: Communications Agreement
Please read these guidelines carefully before completing your application.
PART A: General Guidelines for Grant Submission 
Introduction 
The Canberra Financial Hardship Grant (CFHG) Program is a subsidiary of the Brain Cancer Support Team (BCST), created by the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation (ABCF). This program provides direct financial assistance to families affected by PRIMARY brain cancer in the Canberra region, aiming to alleviate financial stress and support essential costs related to treatment, caregiving, and quality-of-life improvements. 
  
Aims and Available Funding 
The CFHG Program aims to support families facing the challenges of brain cancer with grants of up to $2,000 per family per year.  
These funds can be used for: 
  • Accommodation and travel expenses for treatment 
  • Childcare costs during medical procedures or treatment 
  • Access to rehabilitation services 
  • Counselling and psychological support for patients, carers, and family members 
  • Tutoring and after-school support for children 
  • Household expenses, such as groceries and utility bill 
  • End-of-life wishes and memory-making experiences 
The program also prioritises the principle that funds raised locally will stay locally, ensuring families in the Canberra  
region directly benefit from community support. 
  
Eligibility Criteria 
Families must meet all the following eligibility requirements to apply: 
  • The patient is a diagnosed brain cancer patient (of any age) or a caregiver to a patient receiving treatment. 
  • The family resides in the Canberra region. 
  • A support letter is provided from a qualified Social Worker, practicing Oncologist, or General Practitioner that includes: 
  • Full name of the patient 
  • Diagnosis details, including date and type of brain cancer 
  • Treating hospital or medical institution 
  • Estimated length of treatment 
  • A brief description of the family’s circumstances 
  • For End-of-Life Wishes, families who have recently lost a loved one to brain cancer (within the past month) must also provide either: 
  • A Certificate of Death; or 
  • A support letter from a Social Worker verifying the circumstances. 
      
Assessment Process 
Applications will be reviewed based on the following steps: 
  1.  Applications will be assessed in the order they are received. 
  2. If funding is available, eligible applications will be approved for the full amount requested. 
  3. If funds are limited, partial grants may be provided to ensure support is extended to as many families as possible. 
  4. Families whose applications cannot be approved due to insufficient funds will be placed on a waiting list for up to six months and contacted when funds become available. 
Once funding is secured families will be notified via email within 7 days of submitting their application and advised of the outcome as soon as  
possible. 
  
Supporting Evidence Requirements 
Applicants must include the following documents: 
  • Proof of residency in the Canberra region (e.g., photo ID or utility bill). 
  • A support letter from a qualified Social Worker, practicing Oncologist, or General Practitioner. 
  • For End-of-Life Wishes, a Certificate of Death or equivalent documentation must be provided. 
  • Bank account details for grant disbursement (Account Name, BSB Number, Account Number, and Bank Name). 
      
Further Information on Grant Types 
  • Accommodation and Travel Assistance: Grants can cover the cost of travel and accommodation for families required to seek treatment outside Canberra. 
  • Education assistance - Tutoring  support for children up to year 12 
  • Childcare Support: Families can receive assistance to cover childcare/babysitting costs during treatment or medical procedures. 
  • Rehabilitation and Counselling: The program provides access to rehabilitation services and counselling sessions to help families navigate the emotional and physical toll of brain cancer. 
  • Household Expenses: Families can use the grant to cover essential expenses like groceries and utility bills, ensuring stability during difficult times. 
  • End-of-Life Wishes: Families facing the heartbreaking loss of a loved one to brain cancer can access support for farewell arrangements and memory-making experiences. 

PART B: Grant Application Form 
Checklist for Submission 
To ensure your application is processed without delay, please confirm that you: 
  •  Meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the guidelines. 
  • Have attached proof of residency (e.g., photo ID or utility bill) 
  • Have included a support letter from a Social Worker, practicing Oncologist, or General Practitioner. 
  • Have provided bank account details for grant disbursement. 
  • For End-of-Life Grants, have included a Certificate of Death or support letter verifying the circumstances. 
  • Have completed all sections of the application form.
Once submitted, the ABCF will communicate directly with applicants via email. 
Patient information
Please complete the patient's details below
Date of birth
Gender
Brain Tumour Diagnosis
(name, type, location, or any other details you feel comfortable sharing)
Diagnosis date
Treating Hospital
Treating Oncology Doctor
What is the total distance you travel for treatment? 
Carer's information (if applicable)
Carer's Name
Carer's contact number
Carer's email address
Referrer's information (if applicable)
Referrer's name
Referrer's Organisation
Referrer's Position
Referrer's contact number
Referrer's email address
Support Service Request
Type of Service (required)
Please select all the services you require or are interested in



Please add any additional comments or queries here: (optional)
Have you encountered any challenges or difficulties related to accessing medical care and treatment for brain cancer in Canberra? (optional)
Please describe your experiences:
If you were to receive financial assistance, which of the following areas would you prioritise? (optional)










Grant Application
Please indicate which grants you would like to be considered for by selecting from the options below. 
You may apply for multiple grants. If selecting more than one, please prioritise your family’s needs by ranking them from 1 (highest priority) to 6 (lowest priority). We will do our best to assist in all the areas you have identified. If we are unable to fulfil all requests, we will prioritise your top-ranked need.

Available Grant Options:
Accommodation and Travel escape for treatment Grant
Support for costs related to accommodation and travel for medical treatments outside Canberra. 
Childcare/Babysitting during medical procedure or treatment 
Assistance with childcare or babysitting costs during treatment or medical appointments. 
Rehabilitation and Counselling  
Access to rehabilitation services and counselling sessions for patients, carers, and family members. 
Household Expenses Grant 
Financial support for essential household costs such as groceries and utility bills. 

Education Transition Support 
Tutoring and educational support for children up to Year 12 to help them stay on track academically. 

One-Off Celebration of Life Grant (for families who have lost a loved one to brain cancer) 
Assistance with farewell arrangements, memory-making activities, or keepsakes. 

Additional Information: 
Please provide a detailed summary of the paten's diagnosis and current prognosis (if available), along with information about their treatment plan. This information will help us better understand your family’s specific needs and how we can assist. 
Additional Requirements
Please include the following information for your application to be considered: 
Proof of Address 
Please upload proof of address, such as a photo ID or utility bill. 
Referral Letter 
Please include a referral letter from your Social Worker or practicing Oncology Doctor. 
For Celebration of Life Grant 
Please include a Certificate of Death or a support letter confirming the passing of your child. 
Bank
To expedite the receipt of funds for successful applicants, please provide your bank details: 
Branch
Account Name
BSB
Account Number
How did you hear about the CFHG Program?
Future Contact
Would you like to be contacted about future Australian Brain Cancer Foundation events, community activities, and fundraising initiatives? 


Declaration 
By submitting this application, I declare that all the information provided herein is accurate and true. 

I understand that by submitting this application, I agree to the receipt of applicable grants if my application is successful and agree to be contacted by the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation using the contact details provided. 
Full Name of Patient Guardian/Carer:
Date
PART C: Communications Agreement 
We invite you to share your family's story to help provide the broader community with insights into how they can support families affected by brain cancer.
By filling out this form, you confirm that you are happy to share the information you have provided. (Please note: No private information, such as contact details, address, email, or bank account information, will be shared.) 
Consent for Acknowledgment 
I give my consent for the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation to acknowledge myself, my family, and my child by name in the sharing of the information provided herein. 
Consent for Sharing Information
I give my consent for the information provided herein to be shared by the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation through the following platforms (Please note: No private information, such as contact details, address, email, or bank account information, will be shared.) (please select all that apply)




Consent for Sharing Photographs 
I give my consent for any photographs I provide to be shared in accordance with the consents selected above. 


Permission for Personal Contact 
I give permission for the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation to contact me via phone or email to discuss my child's diagnosis or to refer me to other services beneficial to our journey with brain cancer. 


Full Name
Date

The Australian Brain Cancer Foundation Ltd