This information is about the range of financial support available if your sarcoma treatment stops you from working as much as you normally do.
Applying for financial support can be confusing, but help is available. Ask your clinical nurse specialist or key worker if your hospital has a welfare rights and benefits advisor, or if they can refer you to a benefits advisor in your community. You can also use services like Macmillan money advisers.
Means tested vs non-means-tested
Benefits and financial support are either means-tested or non-means-tested.
- Means-tested support is only available if your combined income and savings fall below a certain level.
- Non-means-tested support is based on your personal situation, such as age, health, or disability. It is paid based on your National Insurance contributions.
Benefits and work
Sarcoma 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 your income is lower than usual.
If you are struggling financially, you might be able to apply for some of these government benefits.
Support from your employer
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), paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks if you are too ill to work
- sick pay that your employer decides.
Your employer should support you at work. They should make reasonable adjustments to help you during and after your sarcoma treatment.
A meeting with an occupational health team may help your employer better understand your needs. 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. They have more information about Access to Work grants on their 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 ESA. It is non-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. If you are not entitled to SSP, 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 UK. It’s for people who are on a low income, out of work, or cannot work. If you are eligible, the amount you get depends 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.
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 local council. They will assess your eligibility for council tax reduction.
You can also find out how it works in Northern Ireland.
If you’re self-employed
If you’re self-employed, you may have concerns about your work. You will not be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), but you may be eligible for other income benefits, such as New Style Employment and Support Allowance.
For more information about how cancer might affect your work if you’re self-employed, visit Macmillan Cancer Support’s guide.
Benefits if you’re State Pension age
Your State Pension age depends on when you were born. You can check your state pension age on the UK government website. If you’re above state pension age, you may be able to apply for some different benefits.
State Pension
There are 3 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 (PC)
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 get Pension Credit, you will be eligible for 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 sarcoma, 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:
- state pension age
- living in temporary accommodation.
Housing Benefit has been replaced by Universal Credit (UC) if you are below state pension age. If you’re already claiming housing benefit, you’re above state pension age, or have been placed in temporary accommodation, 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.
Find out more about DHP if you live in:
In Northern Ireland, you can apply at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
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.
Other financial support
Some charities and organisations offer grants to people living with cancer. Some charities also offer discounts.
Grants and loans
Some charities and organisations offer grants and loans to help you with financial problems related to your cancer.
- Bone Cancer Research Trust offers financial assistance grants for people diagnosed with bone sarcomas. Find out more on their website.
- Cancer Research UK offers information about other organisations who offer grants for adults and children with cancer.
Disability discounts
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.
Was this information useful?
Quality assurance
We are a PIF TICK certified charity, which means our health information is produced to the highest possible standards.
Last reviewed August 2026 | Next review due August 2027
All references are available upon request. Please email info@sarcoma.org.uk
