Supporting Macmillan's financial services
How you can support our financial services
Money worries are often the biggest concern that people living with cancer have after their medical diagnosis. People living with cancer might be unable to work because of treatment. Or because they may not know their rights at work. They may also worry about paying the bills or affording the extra things that living with cancer can bring.
We do not want anyone who is living with cancer to be worse off because of their situation. Our financial support services are here to offer advice and support, as well as help people if they are having difficulties with money.
Find out more about the different financial services and support we offer people living with cancer.
Macmillan Grants
Macmillan Grants are one-off payments to help people who need immediate support with costs caused by, or related to, their cancer.
Household finances can be significantly affected by cancer and its treatment. 83% of people are, on average, £570 a month worse off because of their diagnosis.
Grants are given to help people with anything that will improve their day to day lives. This could be buying household items such as bedding and washing machines or helping with hospital travel costs. They can be awarded to cover the cost of rising fuel bills, or even to create lasting memories such as a short break away with loved ones.
In 2020 we gave grants totalling over £9.2m to almost 30,000 people living with cancer and struggling on low incomes or pensions.
Macmillan Support Line
Our specialist teams at the Macmillan Support Line offer expert advice about money, benefits and rights. They help people living with cancer to:
- Explain the benefits and other financial support available to them.
- Understand the application processes, filling out forms, and signposting them to alternative sources of support, such as Macmillan Grants.
- Know what support people can get with paying their energy bills.
- Access guides and information so they can make informed decisions about mortgages, insurance and pensions.
The newest addition to the service is the work support team. They offer support to people facing work and employment challenges because of their cancer.
In 2020 our welfare rights advisers supported over 27,500 people to identify around £79 million in benefits they were entitled to receive.
How your support helps
We do not want anyone living with cancer to be negatively affected financially because of their diagnosis. Your support can make an immediate impact on the most financially vulnerable people living with cancer.
£7,000
can fund around 20 Macmillan Grants, meaning people living with cancer can get financial support if they’re struggling with everyday costs.
£16,323
helps our financial guides to respond to the on average 252 enquiries they get each week through the Macmillan Support Line from people affected by cancer.
£46,275
helps the welfare rights team answer the on average 862 enquiries they get per week through the Macmillan Support Line from people affected by cancer.