Health Insurance & Medical Costs · Surprise rank #71
Donate an Organ? A Federal Program Can Reimburse Up to $6,000 for Travel, Lost Wages and Dependent Care
The federally funded National Living Donor Assistance Center helps eligible living organ donors with expenses that otherwise might prevent donation.
Who
Eligible living organ donors whose recipient/donor financial circumstances meet program rules and who lack another source of reimbursement.
Where: United States and territories under program rules
What to do
Start here: Ask the transplant center's social worker or coordinator to start the NLDAC application before travel or other covered expenses are incurred.
Eligibility: The donor and recipient generally apply together before costs occur. Financial eligibility, lawful U.S. presence/residence rules and absence of another payment source apply.
What you get
NLDAC can reimburse approved donation-related travel, lodging, meals, lost wages and dependent-care expenses.
Benefit: Up to $6,000 in approved assistance for qualifying donation-related expenses.
Possible value: Up to $6,000, depending on approved expenses.
Good to know
Important: Approval should come before the expense. Lost-wage reimbursement has defined evaluation, recovery and follow-up periods, and the $6,000 is a program maximum rather than an automatic payment.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Potential donors may rule themselves out because of travel or unpaid leave without knowing a federal assistance program can cover those nonmedical costs.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026