Welfare rights advice
How our welfare rights advisors can help you
Living with cancer can affect your money, whether you are working, unemployed or retired. You may earn less if you stop working or reduce your hours. You may spend more on everyday costs, like heating or travelling to hospital.
If you are affected by cancer there are a range of benefits you may be entitled to which could help you with your everyday living costs.
Our specialist advisors can help you to find out what benefits you might be entitled to, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
We can also help you find out about other types of support available, such as:
In this video: Mo shares his experience of the financial impact of cancer. He talks about the challenges he faced and how Macmillan supported him to find benefits he was entitled to.
How to talk to an adviser
Macmillan Support Line
The welfare rights service is available to anyone who calls the Macmillan Support Line.
Talking about cancer can be tough. Our cancer information and support specialists offer a listening ear. We can talk about whatever matters to you. We can also offer guidance and help you find the right information and support in your area.
You can call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Advisers can provide emotional and practical support and information.
Specialist services
As well as emotional support we provide specialist services to help you. Please note the opening times may vary by service.
- Cancer information nurse specialist, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. Our experienced cancer nurses can talk you through information about your diagnosis and treatment.
- Welfare rights advice, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Our welfare rights advisers can tell you about benefits and other financial support.
- Energy advice, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. We have energy advisers who can help you reduce the costs of your heating and electricity.
- Financial guidance, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Our financial guides are experts in helping to reduce the financial impact of cancer.
- Work support service, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Our dedicated work support specialists help you to understand your rights at work.
- Macmillan Grants - we can also give you information about Macmillan Grants.
Preparing for your call with an adviser
We recommend having any information about your household income or medical conditions with you before speaking with an adviser. Find out more about preparing for your call with an adviser.
Online tools and information
We also have information and tools online:
- Our benefits information provides information on getting support with travel, childcare and paying bills.
- Our Online Community is a safe space where you can chat anonymously with experts and people in a similar situation to yours. You can talk about anything cancer related, including benefits.
- Find out what benefits you might be eligible for by completing our benefits calculator.
- If you are worried about money. Answer a few questions to get advice about money and cancer to help you find the support you need.
Our commitment to service
Our customer charter [PDF] is our commitment to you and lets you know what you can expect from us.
We also provide a complaints procedure so you can highlight ways we can improve our service.
How we can help
If you have cancer, you may be able to get a Macmillan Grant to help with the extra costs of cancer. Find out who can apply and how to access our grants.