Financial and practical support after treatment

Many people don’t claim benefits while they are not working because they are unaware of what they are entitled to or 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 breast care nurse or a social worker or welfare adviser at the hospital. Your GP may also be able to help.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is also a good place to go for guidance, or you can ask Jobcentre Plus for help. 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.

Although many people who have cancer do not consider themselves as having a disability, under the Equality Act (which replaced the Disability Discrimination Act) everyone who has or has had cancer is automatically classed as disabled.

However, having a diagnosis of cancer does not automatically mean you will qualify for disability benefits.

The DWP also produces leaflets outlining each benefit. These are available from its offices or can be downloaded from at the DWP’s online resource centre.You can also get these leaflets from some local libraries or your local CAB office.

If you are of working age you can ask Jobcentre Plus for help. Jobcentre Plus is part of the DWP and 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.

Your local council is responsible for Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit. If you are of pension age you can contact The Pension Service to ask about your state pension or claiming benefits.

Who can claim?

Claiming benefits may be the last thing on your mind, but it is important to apply as soon as you feel able (even if you are not sure that you’re eligible) because many benefits cannot be backdated. Several factors are taken into account when assessing whether or not you are eligible for benefits. They include your age, how much National Insurance you have paid and how long you have been ill.

Some benefits are paid in addition to other benefits you already receive, to top up your income to a minimum level. These are called means-tested benefits and depend on your circumstances, income and savings.

Prescription charges across the UK

People in England being treated for cancer are now entitled to all their prescriptions free of charge. To show you are eligible for free prescriptions you need to apply for an exemption certificate from your GP (local doctor). This certificate will mean that you do not pay any charges for prescriptions for five years. A renewal application can be made after five years if you are still undergoing treatment for cancer.

In Wales and Northern Ireland and Scotland, prescription charges have been completely abolished.

 

Exemption certificates for people living in England

The certificate lasts for five years. Renewal applications can be made after five years if you are still undergoing treatment for:

• cancer (including tamoxifen or other hormone therapies and lymphoedema garments)
• the effects of cancer (including pain relief and effects directly related to cancer that did not exist before the cancer diagnosis such as a change in mental health)
• the effects of cancer treatment (including all side effects of chemotherapy or late effects caused by radiation).

NHS charges for wigs will remain unchanged.

Refunds and applying for certificates

If you are still waiting for your exemption certificate, when you pay a prescription charge you should ask the dispenser for an NHS receipt (FP57). This is also a refund claim form. Refunds will then be backdated to the 1 April 2009.

People who are aged 60 and over are exempt from NHS prescription charges on age grounds and do not need to apply for the certificate.