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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
Many people can give you advice on your financial situation and some charities and organisations offer grants.
An introduction to the financial support available to people affected by cancer. The information in this video was correct as of 1 December 2010.
You can watch this video with a British Sign Language translation|.
Tell us what you think of our videos| to help us improve what we do.
Macmillan's cancer support specialists| can offer advice to people with cancer, their family, and carers who need help to access benefits and other forms of financial support. They can look at your individual situation and find the best solutions for you. They can also help you fill in claim forms, which isn’t always an easy task to do on your own.
Some other cancer support organisations, hospitals and self-help groups also have benefits advisers. They can advise you on whether you may be eligible for any benefits or grants.
A social worker at the hospital may also be able to give you advice on sources of financial help. Your local Social Security office| can give you information about benefits which you may be entitled to. Your local Citizens' Advice Bureau| can also give you financial and legal advice; its number will be in your local phone book.
It may be helpful to contact an independent financial adviser (IFA). IFAs can assess your individual situation and recommend the best course of action. You can find a local IFA by referral from family or friends, looking in your phone book, or by contacting the Personal Finance Society| or Unbiased|.
The people mentioned in the case studies in this section got financial help after speaking to an experienced welfare rights adviser.
Welfare rights advisers can look at your individual situation and find the best solutions for you. They can also help you fill in claim forms, which isn’t always an easy task to do on your own.
To speak to an experienced welfare rights adviser for free, you can call the Macmillan Support Line.|
If you would prefer to talk to someone face-to-face, come to one of our local benefits services|, which we run in partnership with local organisations across the UK.
The more information you can give to your welfare rights adviser, the more they will be able to help you. Whether you're meeting face-to-face or talking over the phone, try to have the following items with you:
For health-related benefits, please also have ready:
Our interactive online guide provides advice and information about the benefits you may be able to claim. If you’ve got access to a computer and the internet, you’ll be able to find out about the following benefits: Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and Statutory Sick Pay.
Once you’ve logged on, you’ll be taken through a series of questions to find out what benefits you may be eligible for. It’s a great way to get a head start before meeting a welfare rights adviser, and could boost your confidence when dealing with the system generally. To access the guide, visit macmillan.org.uk/benefitsmadeclear |
We give one-off grants| to people with cancer. Contact our cancer support specialists for information on how to claim.
There are other grants available from a variety of sources, including occupational funds, utility companies (gas, electricity and water companies) and charities. For more information, contact a local welfare rights adviser or our cancer support specialists.
CLIC Sargent| gives grants to help with immediate financial needs. Any family with a child or young person aged 24 or under who is receiving treatment for cancer or palliative care can apply. Applications need to be made through a CLIC Sargent social worker or healthcare professional. For more information, call 0300 330 0803.
Turn2us| helps people find specific charities that may be able to offer financial assistance. You can apply through their website or call 0808 802 2000.
The Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need 2011/2012 gives details of all the trusts and organisations that provide financial support to people in the UK. It’s available from bookshops or local libraries.
You can watch a video of Karen describing her experience of the financial impact of her breast cancer diagnosis|.
The Social Fund is a government fund that makes payments to people in need. It's made up of non-repayable grants and some repayable loans. These include Maternity Grants and Funeral Payments. Funeral Payments can cover certain funeral expenses, including transport, burial or cremation fees.
You can also apply for a Community Care Grant or Budgeting Loan to cover a range of other needs, including clothing, household items and travel expenses.
The Social Fund also includes Cold Weather Payments. These are paid automatically on top of your benefits when the temperature drops below 0°C for seven days in a row.
You need to be receiving certain benefits when you apply for a payment grant under the Social Fund. These include Income Support|, income-related Employment and Support Allowance|, Pension Credit|, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance| and, in some cases, tax credits. However, you don’t need to be claiming benefits to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment or a Crisis Loan.
Winter Fuel Payments are different from Cold Weather Payments. They are annual, one-off payments to people aged 60 and over who are of Pension Credit age, to help with the cost of heating. They are not linked to temperature.
A Crisis Loan can help with expenses arising from an emergency or disaster, such as a loss of money, homelessness, fire or flood.
To apply for a loan or grant from The Social Fund, contact your local Jobcentre. In Northern Ireland, The Social Fund is run by the Social Security Agency. To apply for a loan or grant, contact your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office.
If you're self-employed, you can still apply for benefits. For example, if you’ve been paying national insurance, you may qualify for Employment and Support Allowance.
You may also qualify for other benefits depending on your personal circumstances, income, savings, care and mobility needs. Please contact a welfare rights adviser for advice.
We have a section about self-employment and cancer|, which you may find helpful.
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
Proposed changes to the benefits system could leave thousands of people living with cancer without vital financial support when they need it most - for some, pushing them into poverty. We're campaigning for a better deal for people affected by cancer.