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Many people don’t claim benefits because they are simply not aware of what they are entitled to or they are too embarrassed to ask for help. Others find the system too complicated. If you are confused by the benefit system, remember that help is available, if you need it, so don’t be put off. Friends or relatives may be able to help. You can also talk to your Macmillan nurse or breast care nurse, someone at your GP practice, or a social worker or welfare adviser at the hospital.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is also a good place to go for guidance, or you can ask Jobcentre Plus for help. Disability and carer benefits are now part of the Disability and Carers Service, although you will normally access these benefits through Jobcentre Plus.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has a special benefit enquiry line for people with disabilities and their carers and produces leaflets, which outline each benefit. These are available from DWP offices, local libraries and CAB branches or you can download them from the DWP’s online resource centre at www.dwp.gov.uk Some leaflets are produced by Jobcentre Plus, which is a part of the DWP. These are available from both the DWP website and www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Breast Cancer Care has produced the EMPLOY charter to provide employers with guidance on best practice in supporting staff members who have breast cancer. People with cancer are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This states that employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to help them at work to have time off for medical appointments, treatment and recovery from treatment.
Download and read our EMPLOY charter.
The DWP benefits enquiry line is 0800 88 22 00, this is a free to call from all BT landlines, but refer to call charges on their website for more information on other providers. Macmillan Cancer Support has a similar benefits helpline, on 0808 801 0304 that provides specific information to advise those affected by cancer, their carers and families.
If you are of pension age, you can contact the Pension Service to ask about your state pension or claiming benefits. Offices are listed in the phone book under Pension Service or social security, or you can visit the Pension Service’s website for more details.
Claiming benefits may be the last thing on your mind, but it is important to apply as soon as you feel able to (even if you are not sure that you are eligible) because many benefits can’t usually be backdated. Many factors are taken into account when assessing whether or not you are eligible for benefits. They include your age, how much National Insurance (NI) you have paid and how long you have been ill.
Some benefits are paid in addition to other benefits you may receive to top up your income to a minimum level. These are called means-tested benefits.