There is a range of financial support available if your sarcoma treatment stops you from working as much as you normally do.
Benefits and work
Cancer can affect your work in many ways. It might affect how you cope at work and can affect your ability to work at all. This might mean you have less income.
If you are struggling financially, you might be able to apply for some of these government benefits.
Support from your work
If you’re an employee and take time off sick, you may be able to get sick pay. This could be either:
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – Money paid by your employer if you’re too ill to work up to 28 weeks.
- sick pay that’s decided by your employer.
Your employer should support you at work. They should make reasonable adjustments to help you during and after your cancer treatment.
A meeting with an occupational health team may help your employer to understand your needs better. This may improve the support they can give you.
The government also offer access to work grants to support people with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.
Learn about access to work grants on the government website.
New style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you are ill or have a disability that affects your ability to work, you might be able to claim new style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). It is not means tested.
New style ESA is for people who have used up their Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) entitlement of 28 weeks, and have made National Insurance (NI) contributions within the last 2 to 3 years. You can claim new style ESA even if you are still claiming sick pay from your employer. You can also claim new style ESA if you are self-employed.
Universal Credit (UC)
Universal Credit (UC) is a benefit for people under the state pension age.
It’s available throughout the United Kingdom (UK). It’s for people who are on a low income, are out of work, or cannot work. There are lots of different elements of Universal Credit available. They depend on your personal circumstances.
Apply for Universal Credit if you live in England, Scotland or Wales.
Apply for Universal Credit if you live in Northern Ireland.
Employment and support allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is for people under the state pension age who have a disability or illness which affects how they can work.
If you claim ESA already, it will be changed to Universal Credit (UC) by September 2024.
If you don’t already claim ESA, you will need to apply for Universal Credit instead.
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Jobseeker’s Allowance is a benefit for people under state pension age. It can support you while you’re looking for work, if you’re able to work. It is not means-tested.
If you already claim Jobseeker’s Allowance already, it will be changed to Universal Credit (UC).
If you don’t already claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, you will need to apply for Universal Credit instead.
Tax credits
Tax credits are payments made by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
They give extra money to those who need it.
How much money you get for tax credits depends on your income and personal circumstances.
They are different from other benefits as you must apply for them every year.
If you already claim Tax credits, they will be replaced by Universal Credit (UC) by April 2025.
If you don’t already claim tax credits, you will need to apply for universal credit instead.
Council tax reduction
Council tax reduction is a benefit that reduces your council tax bill by up to 100%. You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. You need to make a claim directly to your council. They will assess your eligibility for council tax reduction.
If you’re self-employed
If you’re self-employed, you may have concerns about your work. For more information about how cancer might affect your work if you’re self-employed, visit Macmillan Cancer Support’s guide.
Stopping work
You may find you need to stop working if you have cancer. This could be to take care of yourself or to spend more time with family and friends.
Read Macmillan Cancer Support’s guide on stopping work due to cancer.
Benefits if you’re above state pension age
If you’re above state pension age, you may be able to apply for some different benefits.
What is state pension age?
State pension age depends on when you were born. Check your state pension age.
State pension
There are 2 types of state pension.
The pension you are entitled to depends on how many years you have paid tax or received benefits for.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit (PC) is a form of support for people who are over state pension age and on a low income. It is means-tested. If you receive Pension Credit, you will be eligible for some other benefits, such as council tax reduction.
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales to be eligible. It works slightly differently in Northern Ireland.
Apply for Pension Credit in England, Scotland, or Wales.
Apply for Pension Credit in Northern Ireland.
Housing costs
If you have cancer, you may be able to get some help with your bills and housing costs.
If you’re struggling to pay your rent or mortgage, there may be ways to get extra help. These include:
- claiming benefits to help you with your housing costs
- making changes to your mortgage
- claiming on an insurance policy
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is there to help you pay your rent. You may be able to get housing benefit if you’re:
- unemployed
- on a low income
- claiming other benefits
Housing Benefit has been replaced by Universal Credit (UC) if you are below state pension age. If you’re already claiming housing benefit or above state pension age, then you can continue to claim it.
Discretionary housing payment (DHP)
If you’re already receiving housing benefit or universal credit for housing and it does not cover your rent, you could apply for a discretionary housing payment from your council.
DHP is available in England, Wales and Scotland. Understand DHP if you live in England or Wales.
Understand DHP if you live in Scotland.
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can apply at the Northern Ireland housing executive.
Council tax reduction
Council tax reduction is a benefit that can help you pay your council tax if you’re on a low income or receiving certain other benefits. You need to make a claim directly to your council. They will assess your eligibility for council tax reduction.
It works slightly differently in Northern Ireland.
Apply for council tax reduction if you live in Northern Ireland.
Saving energy
There are a few ways you can make your home more energy efficient. This can reduce the cost of your bills.
The Government website has useful resources on saving energy and improving the energy efficiency of your house.
There’s also different information if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Grants and loans
Some charities and organisations offer grants and loans to help you with any financial problems related to your cancer.
- Macmillan Cancer Support offers grants and financial advice.
- Cancer Research UK offers information about grants for:
– adults with cancer
– children with cancer
– ex-services
Other benefits
The charity Scope offers useful information about discounts available to people with disabilities or cancer. These include:
- attractions
- leisure activities
- sports
- travel
Explore disability discounts for days out and travel from Scope.
Published: October 2024 | Next review due: October 2027
