Macmillan Welfare Benefits

People living with Cancer in Worcestershire to benefit from financial advice and support.

People with cancer in Worcestershire can now receive support from new service designed to ease the cost of cancer thanks to a collaboration between Macmillan Cancer Support and Citizens Advice Bureaux across Worcestershire.

Having cancer can be expensive. Nearly all cancer patients suffer some loss of income and/or increased living costs as a direct result of their cancer diagnosis. Many face giving up work as their treatment begins which then faces them with increased heating bills, prescription charges and transport costs.

Samantha Edwards, Macmillan Development Manager, says, 'People affected by cancer need to know that they are receiving all the income which they are entitled to in order to meet the increased costs associated with cancer.'

 'However, finding the information and advice needed can be hard for cancer patients when they are feeling unwell and have a busy schedule of treatment and travelling between home and hospital. Research done by Macmillan in 2010 showed that more than £878,000 in disability benefits is going unclaimed by people with terminal cancer in Worcestershire. The figure across the whole of the UK is a staggering £90.8m. This Worcestershire Macmillan Citizens Advice Service will help them to claim all the benefits to which they are entitled and will advise on many other issues so that they don’t have to worry about the financial impact of their cancer diagnosis.'

The Worcestershire Macmillan Citizens Advice Service will have caseworkers based in Worcester, Redditch and Kidderminster and will be contactable through a single phone number, 01905 725946 for advice over the phone, visiting a CAB or arranging a home visit.  The service will be available to anyone living in, or currently receiving treatment in Worcestershire, or friends and family who are affected by cancer.