Macmillan grants

Who are they for?

You can apply for a Macmillan grant if you have cancer or are still affected by your illness or treatment and:

• your savings amount to no more than £6,000 if you are single, or £8,000 as a couple or family
• your household disposable income (this means the total amount left once you have paid your mortgage, rent or council tax) is under:
  
            - £170 a week for a single person
  
            - £289 per couple
  
            - £85 for each child
  
            - £119 for each additional adult (only when their income is relevant to
              the request)

NB: Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance do not count as disposable income.

These are the general conditions, but we take account of individual circumstances.

Since the amount of money available for grants is limited we will usually only be able to offer this kind of support once. Award amounts will vary depending on circumstances and needs but the average grant amount will be £250.

What can the grants provide?

Some of the typical expenses Macmillan grants help with are fares to and from hospital for treatment, heating bills, washing machines and other household items to help make life easier. We also give grants for items that help individuals with cancer continue with activities they enjoy. For example, we gave a grant to a man with cancer of the larynx to help pay for a special swimming device, so that he could still enjoy swimming after his operation.

How do I get one?

We aim to make our application process as simple and as quick as possible.

Step one

You need to apply through a health or social care professional, such as a social worker, district nurse, or a Macmillan nurse if you have one. Please read our guidance notes [PDF 630KB]| before making your application.

Step two

They will fill in a grant application form with you and send it to the grants team at Macmillan Cancer Support, together with a short medical report from your doctor, consultant or Macmillan nurse.

Step three

The Macmillan Grants team will process your application on the day they receive it.

Step four

If your application is approved, payments are generally sent out within three working days. A grant from Macmillan will not affect the benefits you are entitled to. Any personal or medical information included in your application will be treated confidentially.