Benefits FAQs

You might be able to claim benefits if you have sarcoma. It can depend on a few things. For example, how the cancer affects your ability to do daily tasks, your income and savings, and if you’re unable to work.

During treatment, you may be attending the hospital more than usual. You might be able to get financial help with attending appointments, from parking to travel costs. For example, you might be able to claim travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs (HTCS) scheme.

We have more information about health-related financial support.

If you care for someone with sarcoma, you might be able to claim Carer’s Allowance or apply for Carer’s Credit. It depends on how many hours a week you care for someone, and your income.

We have more information about financial support for family and carers.

If you cannot work because of sarcoma, you might be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), New Style Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, or Council Tax Reduction.

We have information about additional financial support.

You can find more information about financial support from the following organisations and services:

• Hospital or community social worker – they can give you advice on benefits and debts.
• Welfare rights advice at a hospital.
• The government website has details about eligibility for benefits. There are also links to apply for benefits on the website.
• Citizens Advice – who can tell you what assistance and benefits may be available to you. Their advisors can help you fill out benefit forms.
• Jobcentre Plus offices. They help with benefits for people who are unemployed or who cannot work because of a disability or health condition.
• Cancer Research UK have lots of information about benefits and how to claim them.
• Macmillan Cancer Support offer guidance on how to manage financial problems you might be having. You can contact their trained Welfare Rights Advisors (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm) or Financial Guides (Monday-Friday 8am-6pm) on 0808 808 0000.

• Advice NI can provide advice on a range of benefit issues. You can contact them on 0800 915 4604.
• NI Direct has information on all the benefits you might be able to apply for. They also have information about filling in and returning application forms.

• myscot.gov has lots of information, including benefits calculators and help finding local organisations that can help you with benefits and welfare rights in Scotland.
• Citizens Advice Scotland– who can tell you what assistance and benefits may be available to you. Their advisors can help you fill out benefit forms. You can contact their helpline on 0800 028 1456.

• Advicelink Cymruis a Citizens Advice service funded by the Welsh government. It can help you check what you are entitled to and help you claim. You can access their service Monday-Friday 9am-5pm on 0800 702 2020. If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 08082 505 720.
• Tenovus Cancer Carehave a team of benefits advisors covering all of Wales for anyone affected by cancer. You can contact their support line (available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and 10am-1pm on weekends) on 0808 808 1010.