Cancer and its treatments can bring considerable and unforseen additional costs such as a reduction in your working hours due to illness or caring for a loved one, increased transport to appointments and hospital parking fees, making more childcare or pet care arrangements or increased heating costs.
Add the psychological impact of your diagnosis into the mix and things can begin to feel somewhat overwhelming. So how do you navigate your way to relieving some of the financial burden that may come your way?
It is always best to not shoulder any financial burden that you may be feeling yourself. The good news is that there are a variety of resources and benefits available which may help relieve you of the worries associated with a reduction of income and/or an increase of costs:
Government Benefits
You may be able to claim benefits to help you. The Government may be able to provide financial assistance to those who are in need of help. These benefits include help with extra costs and financial support if you need to stop working. Benefits include:
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) – see below for further information
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Adult Disability Payment
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
Financial Assistance
You may also be able to get financial assistance from other organisations, including cancer support charities.
Sick Pay & Support At Work
If you need to take time off work, you may also be able to receive sick pay from your employer. Your employer should also aim to make reasonable adjustments to help you do your job after cancer treatment and they should try to support you while at work.
This may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace through the Access To Work programme. You can find out more about Access To Work here.
Employment & Support Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is for people who are under the State Pension age who have an illness or disability that affects how much they can work. You can apply for ESA if you are:
- Employed
- Self-employed
- Enemployed
- A student.
Find out more about ESA here.
Income Tax Refund
You may be able to get a tax refund if you give up work, or if your income decreases. It is also worth checking whether you are still paying the correct amount of tax if your situation has changed.
Your employer may be able to organise this. You can also apply for a tax refund online or contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on 0300 200 3300.
Help With Children’s Costs
You may be able to get financial help with housing costs. This could include mortgage or rent payments, home adaptations and paying council tax.
- Universal Credit (UC) has replaced Housing Benefit in most cases
- There are benefits, loans & grants available to help with the costs of housing
- For help with council tax or mortgage interest & bills, local council tax reduction schemes can help towards the cost of your council tax if you are on a low income
- If you own your home, you may be able to apply for a loan from the government to help towards interest payments on your mortgage or loans that you have taken out to improve your home following a diagnosis.
Help With Health Costs
This can include help with prescriptions, wigs and fabric supports, dental treatment and eye treatment. If you need special equipment or aids to help you live at home, you may be able to get what you need for free.
Speak with your GP, a nurse, a social worker or your pharmacist and they will point you in the right direction of who you need to speak to depending on what your needs are.
Grants & Loans
Macmillan Grants are small, one-off payments to help people with the extra costs that cancer can cause. They are for people who have a low level of income and savings.
If you need things like extra clothing, help paying heating bills or even a relaxing UK break, you may be able to get a Macmillan Grant.
Find out more about Macmillan Grants here.
If You’re Looking After Someone Who Has Cancer
If you look after someone following their cancer diagnosis or treatment, you could be entitled to Carer’s Allowance (CA). If you are receiving Universal Credit (UC), you might be able to get the carer element, even if you do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance.
There’s also Carer’s Credit which helps prevent gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to stop working while you are caring for someone. You need to pay National Insurance to qualify for a State Pension.