A diagnosis of cancer can have an impact on your finances. For example, you may have to stop work or have significant travel costs to and from hospital appointments.
There are a number of agencies that are able to help with advice on benefits to which you may be entitled and how to claim them.
Advice offered by some agencies may depend on where you live and/or may require a referral. The Macmillan Cancer Support line and LJMC staff are able to assist you with this.
The information given below is also summarised in our downloadable leaflet Benefits advice (HHC230)
Useful contacts
| Macmillan Cancer Support | 0808 808 0000 Mon-Fri: 8.00am-8.00pm Ask for a copy of Help with the cost of cancer (published by Macmillan Cancer Support) Use the Macmillan Benefits Calculator to check the benefits to which you may be entitled |
| Government services and information on welfare benefits | Personal Independence Payment (PIP): 0800 917 2222 A benefit for anyone who has difficulty moving around or looking after themself and is under the state pension ageAttendance Allowance (AA): 0800 731 0122 A non-means-tested benefit for anyone who has difficulty looking after themself and is over the state pension age. Universal credit (UC): 0800 328 5644 New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Jobcentre Plus helpline: 0800 055 6688 Carer’s Allowance: 0800 731 0297 Pension Credit: 0800 99 1234 Pension age Housing Benefit Council Tax Reduction Please note: If you are terminally ill, your application for some benefits may be fast-tracked under ‘special rules’. Speak to your specialist nurse to see if this applies to you. |
| Citizens Advice | Advice line: 0800 144 8848 Call or visit the website for details of local bureaux |
| AgeUK | Advice line: 0800 678 1602
Advice on benefits, debt, pensions and other financial matters. Use the online tool to find local contact details |
| Step Change | 0800 138 1111
Confidential and expert debt advice and money guidance |
| Shelter | 0808 800 4444
Housing advice helpline |
| ACAS: Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service | 0300 123 1100
Advice on employment law, HR processes and good practice at work. Help in resolving issues in the workplace. |
Grants and other sources of help
| Lasting Memories | Wellbeing Fund provides financial support for patients in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Household Fuel Grants available for patients in Hertfordshire. Apply online |
| Macmillan grants | One-off grants (up to £350) for cancer patients to cover a wide range of practical needs. Grants are means-tested. Applications to be completed by a health or social care professional. Ask your clinical nurse specialist, at the LJMC or other Macmillan centres. Apply by phone: 0808 808 0000 |
| Turn2Us | Use the Grant Search to find charitable funds for which you might be eligible. |
| Young Lives vs Cancer | Grants for cancer patients under 25 years old. |
Help with travel costs
Some patients may be eligible for reimbursement of the cost of getting to Mount Vernon Hospital. Please ask for more details.
Other financial help
- Prescriptions: Cancer patients are eligible for free prescriptions for all medicines, including those not related to your cancer treatment. Pick up an FP92A form from your GP and apply for a medical exemption certificate. The certificate lasts for five years and can be renewed if you are still eligible.
- Wigs: You may qualify for free synthetic wigs on the NHS. Full details of eligibility are in Macmillan Cancer Support’s booklet Help with the cost of cancer.
- Dental treatment: You may qualify for free NHS dental treatment and free dentures. Full details of eligibility are in Macmillan Cancer Support’s booklet Help with the cost of cancer.
- Eye tests: You may qualify for free NHS eye tests. Full details of eligibility are in Macmillan Cancer Support’s booklet Help with the cost of cancer’.
