Keris Kares, Incorporated
Family Emergency Fund · About this organization
What you get
Up to $1,500 in 12 months for rent, mortgage, utilities, car loans, or car insurance, paid directly to the creditor.
How to start
Fill in the application with the bill and payee details. Add the bill and a doctor’s or social worker’s written confirmation, then send the complete packet.
Good to know
- Only non-medical costs in the published covered categories are eligible.
- The older PDF and current webpage publish different December deadlines; the current webpage says December 15.
The details, as published
Keris Kares provides up to $1,500 per 12 months toward an eligible essential nonmedical bill for a child under 18 undergoing pediatric-cancer treatment in one of fourteen listed states. Current materials list rent or mortgage, utilities, car loans, and car insurance, with treating-doctor or social-worker verification and direct creditor payment. Phase 1 is closed: the page gives a second-phase month/day range without a year, the portal still labels it the 2025 cycle, and an older PDF gives a conflicting deadline, so no 2026 opening or deadline is verified.
What help you may get
Household Bills And Cash Assistance
Family Emergency Fund — household bills and cash assistance
Keris Kares provides up to $1,500 per 12 months toward an eligible essential nonmedical bill for a child under 18 undergoing pediatric-cancer treatment in one of fourteen listed states. Current materials list rent or mortgage, utilities, car loans, and car insurance, with treating-doctor or social-worker verification and direct creditor payment. Phase 1 is closed: the page gives a second-phase month/day range without a year, the portal still labels it the 2025 cycle, and an older PDF gives a conflicting deadline, so no 2026 opening or deadline is verified.
Up to $1,500 · Once Per 12 Months
Can cover
- Car insurance payments
- Car loan payments
- Mortgage payments
- Rent
- Utility bills
Does not cover
- Expense categories not approved by the program
- Medical expenses
- Payments directly to a parent or guardian
- The application states a maximum award of $1,500 in a 12-month period.
- Families may receive one Family Assistance grant every 12 months.
Travel And Transportation
Family Emergency Fund — travel and transportation
Keris Kares provides up to $1,500 per 12 months toward an eligible essential nonmedical bill for a child under 18 undergoing pediatric-cancer treatment in one of fourteen listed states. Current materials list rent or mortgage, utilities, car loans, and car insurance, with treating-doctor or social-worker verification and direct creditor payment. Phase 1 is closed: the page gives a second-phase month/day range without a year, the portal still labels it the 2025 cycle, and an older PDF gives a conflicting deadline, so no 2026 opening or deadline is verified.
Up to $1,500 · Once Per 12 Months
Can cover
- Car insurance payments
- Car loan payments
- Mortgage payments
- Rent
- Utility bills
Does not cover
- Expense categories not approved by the program
- Medical expenses
- Payments directly to a parent or guardian
- The application states a maximum award of $1,500 in a 12-month period.
- Families may receive one Family Assistance grant every 12 months.
- The published monetary limit is shared across the listed benefit components.
Why this may help
Travel And Transportation: Car-loan and insurance payments can help you keep your transportation during a financial emergency.
Check the main eligibility rules
Diagnosis
B-ALL is in scope. The official application covers children under 18 undergoing treatment for pediatric cancer, which includes pediatric B-ALL.
Age
Age 0 to age 17, measured at application.
- The application says the patient must be a child under 18 years at the time of application and requires date of birth for verification.
Treatment status
Active Treatment
- A provider must verify the patient or diagnosis.
- A written statement from the child's doctor or social worker must validate the request.
Financial need is required.
- The official material requires financial need resulting from a pediatric cancer diagnosis but publishes no income threshold.
- Assistance is supplementary and subject to available funds.
Where you live and where your child is treated
Where your family lives
You must live in: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV.
- The current program page names the states served; the application does not publish a separate length-of-residency rule.
Where your child is treated
Treatment-location rules are not published clearly; confirm with the program.
How to get started
Does a social worker or care team need to start it? No. A required care-team start is not published; the family can use the available route below.
Who can start: Caregiver, Parent Or Guardian
- Allow five to seven business days for a response after review.
- Attach the bill and all requested information, then submit the complete packet during an intake phase.
- Complete the application and identify the requested bill and payee.
- Confirm the patient is under 18 and undergoing pediatric cancer treatment.
- Obtain a written validation statement from the doctor or social worker.
Ways to apply or ask
- Email · grants@keriskares.org — The official page and application direct grant questions and complete application packets to this address.
- Online Portal · Open form or page — The portal still labels the cycle 2025 and is not accepting applications; use the current outreach page and grants email to confirm the next phase.
- Downloadable Form · Open form or page — Non-fillable Version 6/11/18 PDF still linked from the current outreach page.
Documents to prepare
- Child's primary doctor and current treatment-facility contact information
- Completed and signed application
- Copy of the bill showing the bill type, dates of service, amount requested, remittance address, and payee name
- Description of illness, diagnosis date, and treatment plan
- Patient date of birth
- Two references with names and telephone numbers
- Written statement from the doctor or social worker validating the request
- Approved checks are payable to the creditor or bill provider, not to the child's parent or guardian.
Availability and timing
| Program | Active |
|---|---|
| Applications | Closed |
| Funding or space | Fund Dependent |
| Application window | Seasonal |
| Last checked | Aug 27, 2026 |
- Phase 1 is closed. The outreach page gives an October 1–December 15 second phase without a year, the portal still says 2025, and the linked 2018 PDF gives a December 7 deadline; confirm the current cycle before submitting.
- The current outreach page says Phase 1 closed July 1 and Phase 2 opens October 1 through December 15 or until funds are exhausted, but it does not state a year.
- The linked portal still labels the cycle 2025, while the currently linked Version 6/11/18 application gives a December 7 current-calendar-year deadline. No 2026 opening or deadline is confirmed.
- Apply early after Phase 2 opens because applications are reviewed in order and intake can end when allotted funds are exhausted.
- The application says to allow five to seven business days for a response.
Limitations and things to confirm
- Intake is seasonal and can close when allotted funds are exhausted.
- Only non-medical costs in the published covered categories are eligible.
- The older PDF and current webpage publish different December deadlines; the current webpage says December 15.
- Are the amount, frequency, response time, and application details from the 2018 form still current?
- Which year and deadline govern the next phase?
Official sources
Program details were last verified Aug 27, 2026. Availability can change, so check the official program before applying.
- Grant Application for Financial Assistance · checked Aug 23, 2026
- Outreach — Keris Kares · checked Aug 23, 2026
- Keris Kares Grant · checked Aug 23, 2026
- Family Emergency Fund · checked Aug 24, 2026
- Family Emergency Fund · checked Aug 24, 2026
- Family Emergency Fund · checked Aug 24, 2026