Financial support

For many people, money worries can be as distressing as the cancer itself. That's why we offer a range of financial support.

Benefits advice

The Macmillan Benefits Helpline provides people with cancer and their families and carers with advice and support to help manage the financial impact of cancer. Our benefits advisers check exactly what benefits someone is entitled to, and help with filling in necessary forms. They also advise on other kinds of financial help, such as help with prescription costs, fares to hospital, and housing costs.

'Being a single parent and not being able to work because of chemotherapy, the main source of my anxiety has been financial. Early morning waking, worrying about making ends meet and specially my daughter's future.'

In 2005 the Helpline handled 6,455 cases. We helped these people access £11.5 million in benefits.

We also work in partnership with other organisations throughout the UK to deliver local benefits advice to people affected by cancer.

'To have someone at the end of the phone showing such empathy, being so supportive and helpful is amazing. I couldn't believe how helpful they were. I paid nothing and they took all the hassle away, it was so easy. This service is brilliant.'

We give grants

We give Macmillan grants to people with cancer on low incomes to help with a wide range of practical needs, such as fares to and from hospital, heating bills and washing machines. We also give grants that help people maintain their quality of life. For example, we gave a grant to a man with cancer of the larynx to help pay for a special swimming device, so he could still enjoy swimming after his operation.

In 2005 we helped 20,442 people with Macmillan Grants.

'I have lost so much weight because of my cancer, and your grant for better fitting clothes gave me a boost and a lot more confidence, as well meeting a very practical need.'

Read more information on Financial help available