Finances and practicalities

Breast cancer can have a major physical and emotional impact on your life. It can also affect you financially. Money concerns, whether permanent or temporary, can be particularly stressful at a time when you may feel less able to cope.

It’s worth noting that there are special rules for people with secondary breast cancer that may make it easier and quicker to claim benefits. For more information on this see the special rules section under Disability Living Allowance (if you’re under 65 years old) and Attendance Allowance (if you’re over 65 years old).

In the UK people with cancer are described as having a disability under the Equality Act which is why this information makes reference to disabilities or benefits such as the Disability Living Allowance.

You and your rights

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 a good place to go for guidance. The government department responsible for this area of welfare, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has a free 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. Some leaflets are produced by Jobcentre Plus, which is a part of the DWP.

If you are of working age you can ask Jobcentre Plus for help. Jobcentre Plus deals with several types of benefit. Disability and carer benefits are now part of the Disability and Carers Service, although you will normally access these benefits through Jobcentre Plus as well.

The EMPLOY Charter

Breast Cancer Care has produced the EMPLOY charter to provide employers with guidance on best practice in supporting staff members who have breast cancer. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (now largely replaced by the Equality Act) 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.

More information from the Department for Work and Pensions

The DWP benefits enquiry line is 0800 88 22 00. It is free to call from all BT landlines, but may cost more from other providers. Macmillan Cancer Support has a similar benefits helpline, 0808 801 0304, that provides specific information for people 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. Your local council is responsible for Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit.

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 if you are eligible) because many benefits can’t 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 others you may already receive to top up your income to a minimum level. These are called means-tested benefits.

To find out more download or order our Breast cancer and benefits booklet.