Finances are often a major problem for palliative care patients and families, due to loss of work or lower earnings. Additional expenditure can arise from the cost of travel, disrupted routine, needing new clothes because of weight change, cost of equipment aids or additional household appliances, special dietary requirements, child care. Potential costs are many, which can be daunting especially when there is less money coming in.
Financial concerns can take up a lot of time and cause a lot of worry, when there are other immediate and pressing things to come to terms with, such as medical treatment, increased care needs, seeking emotional or psychological support.
There are many ways to get advice and support, but many people have never claimed Welfare Benefits before and are unaware of possible grant funding. It is important to bear in mind that Social Security means you pay National Insurance when you are healthy, so you can expect financial support if your health suffers and leaves you incapable of working.
The main number to ring for general advice is:
The Department of Work & Pensions,
Welfare Benefit Enquiry Helpline - 0800 88 2200.
Don’t worry if you are unsure which benefit to claim, because the advisor will help you with this.
Other useful contact organisations for advice on benefits include:
- Cancer Backup - which provides information and links for sources of help and support if you have financial difficulties as a result of cancer.
- Carers UK - has a section on financial help which includes the main benefits for carers and the people they look after.
- The Citizens Advice Bureau Organisation - has an online guide with links about benefits for people who are sick or disabled.
- Macmillan Cancer Support provides information about what help might be available and about the Macmillan Benefits Helpline on its financial help page.
Macmillan also produces a booklet called Help with the cost of cancer: a guide to benefits and financial help for people affected by cancer, which can be ordered on 0800 500 800.
Grants:
- Your District Nurse, Community Macmillan Nurse or Social Worker should be able to provide you with information about any local grants that are available.
- Macmillan Cancer Support awards one-off grants which cover a wide range of practical needs. Applications are made on the patient’s behalf by healthcare or social work professionals. The website provides information about who can apply and what the grants are for, as well as how the application process works.
- CLIC Sargent may be able to provide care grants to help with immediate financial needs for families who have a child with cancer.