Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House Programs · About this organization
What you get
A place to stay near your child's hospital, usually free or for a small suggested donation.
How to start
Your hospital social-service team places you on the local House waitlist. Give them your arrival dates and confirm check-in arrangements before traveling.
Good to know
- Space is limited and reservations may not be confirmed before arrival.
- There is no single national eligibility rule beyond the general program description.
The details, as published
Ronald McDonald House programs provide families a place to stay near a child’s hospital, usually at no cost or for a small suggested donation. A family with a child receiving B-ALL treatment may qualify through the local house serving the hospital, but age, distance, stay-length, and referral rules differ by chapter. The hospital social-service team typically places the family on the house waitlist, and space is not guaranteed.
What help you may get
Lodging Near Treatment
Ronald McDonald House Programs — lodging near treatment
Ronald McDonald House programs provide families a place to stay near a child’s hospital, usually at no cost or for a small suggested donation. A family with a child receiving B-ALL treatment may qualify through the local house serving the hospital, but age, distance, stay-length, and referral rules differ by chapter. The hospital social-service team typically places the family on the house waitlist, and space is not guaranteed.
Noncash help
Can cover
- Common household facilities and locally offered family supports
- Temporary lodging near the child's hospital
- The national page states that stays are free or request a suggested donation of no more than $25 per day, depending on the local house.
- Length and repeat-stay rules vary by local house.
Meals And Food
Ronald McDonald House Programs — meals and food
Ronald McDonald House programs provide families a place to stay near a child’s hospital, usually at no cost or for a small suggested donation. A family with a child receiving B-ALL treatment may qualify through the local house serving the hospital, but age, distance, stay-length, and referral rules differ by chapter. The hospital social-service team typically places the family on the house waitlist, and space is not guaranteed.
Noncash help
Can cover
- Common household facilities and locally offered family supports
- Temporary lodging near the child's hospital
- The national page states that stays are free or request a suggested donation of no more than $25 per day, depending on the local house.
- Length and repeat-stay rules vary by local house.
Practical Items And Home Help
Ronald McDonald House Programs — practical items and home help
Ronald McDonald House programs provide families a place to stay near a child’s hospital, usually at no cost or for a small suggested donation. A family with a child receiving B-ALL treatment may qualify through the local house serving the hospital, but age, distance, stay-length, and referral rules differ by chapter. The hospital social-service team typically places the family on the house waitlist, and space is not guaranteed.
Noncash help
Can cover
- Common household facilities and locally offered family supports
- Temporary lodging near the child's hospital
- The national page states that stays are free or request a suggested donation of no more than $25 per day, depending on the local house.
- Length and repeat-stay rules vary by local house.
Check the main eligibility rules
Diagnosis
B-ALL is in scope. The national program serves families of pediatric patients being treated at nearby hospitals or medical facilities, which includes a child receiving B-ALL treatment.
Age
Age 0 to age 21.
- The national page describes a general birth-to-21 range; some local houses use a maximum age of 18.
Treatment status
Active Treatment
- The child must be receiving treatment at a nearby hospital or medical facility; an outpatient patient may stay with the family.
- Families are not turned away because they cannot pay the suggested donation.
Where you live and where your child is treated
Where your family lives
Residence coverage is not published clearly; confirm with the program.
Where your child is treated
Treatment must be through: The child must receive care at or near a hospital served by the local house..
- The child must receive care at or near a hospital served by the local house.
Where the service, camp, stay, or experience happens
- Eligibility is determined by the Ronald McDonald House serving the treatment hospital. — Eligibility is determined by the Ronald McDonald House serving the treatment hospital.
How to get started
Set up the ask for my care team
Does a social worker or care team need to start it? Yes. Ask your child’s social worker or care team to begin the request.
Who can start: Parent Or Guardian
- Contact the hospital social-service department about referral and local eligibility.
- Place the family on the local House waitlist for the intended arrival date.
- Identify the Ronald McDonald House serving the treatment hospital and communicate local rules.
- Confirm availability and local check-in requirements near the intended arrival date.
Ways to apply or ask
- Hospital Workflow · Open form or page — The URL contains national instructions; the actual start is contact with the treatment hospital's social-service department.
Documents to prepare
The program does not publish a document checklist. Ask before gathering paperwork.
- The local house provides lodging directly.
Availability and timing
| Program | Active |
|---|---|
| Applications | Hospital Mediated |
| Funding or space | Limited |
| Application window | Rolling |
| Last checked | Aug 26, 2026 |
- The program network is active, but individual houses may be full and local reservations are not guaranteed.
- Reservations frequently cannot be confirmed far in advance because availability changes.
Limitations and things to confirm
- Local age, distance, stay-length, and referral requirements must be checked.
- Space is limited and reservations may not be confirmed before arrival.
- There is no single national eligibility rule beyond the general program description.
- What are that house's current distance, age, background-check, stay-length, and availability rules?
- Which local house serves the family's hospital?
Official sources
Program details were last verified Aug 24, 2026. Availability can change, so check the official program before applying.
- Ronald McDonald House Programs | RMHC · checked Aug 22, 2026