Health-related financial support

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people who are aged 16 to the state pension age. It is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It is called the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland.

It’s a benefit for people who:

• have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• have difficulty doing everyday tasks or getting around because of the condition.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a payment for under-16s who struggle to move around or need personal care. If your child under the age of 16 lives in Scotland, DLA is called Child Disability Payment.

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a payment for people who are at or above state pension age. It’s for people who have a condition that means they need someone to look after them.

If you can claim AA, you could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction.

You might be able to access your personal or workplace pension early. It depends on your pension scheme’s rules. Most pension pots allow access from the age of 55.

You might be able to take money out earlier if:

• you’re retiring due to ill health
• you’ve been told you have less than 12 months to live
• you have the right under the scheme you joined before 6 April 2006.

Make sure to check with your pension provider. You might also want to get financial advice to decide the best option for you. Macmillan provides free money advisers.

Find details about early retirement on the Government website.

If your doctor or nurse has said you may have less than 12 months to live, you might be able to get faster and easier access to certain benefits. You may also be able to get higher payments for certain benefits.

Firstly, you should check which benefits you’re eligible for. You can then apply under ‘special rules for end of life’. You then need to ask your doctor to complete an SR1 form for you.

If eligible and approved by your doctor, you can get faster access to the following:

• Attendance Allowance (AA)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Universal Credit (UC)

If you live in Scotland, it is called a BASRiS form. You must be claiming adult disability payment (ADP) or child disability payment (CDP) to be eligible for this.

All prescriptions are free if you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

If you live in England and have cancer, you’re entitled to free prescriptions for anything related to your cancer treatment.

To get free prescriptions, you need to apply for a medical exemption certificate. Your GP or doctor can help you apply.

Check if you can get free prescriptions on the NHS website.

Free wigs and fabric supports are available on the NHS for people having cancer treatment who live in Wales or Scotland.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can get free wigs from health and social care services.

In England, you will be charged for wigs and fabric supports unless you qualify for help with the costs. The NHS has more information about who can get free wigs and fabric supports.

You might be entitled to discounted or free dental or eye care. This depends on where you live and your personal circumstances.

Find details about free dental care and eye care from Macmillan Cancer Support.

You may need special equipment to help you live at home. For example, you might need a special mat to stop you slipping in the shower, or a rail to help you get out of bed. You may be able to get this equipment for free.

To get help with special equipment, contact:

• your doctor or nurse
• your local social services.

You may be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant from the government.

Living with sarcoma can mean attending more hospital appointments than usual. This can result in more costs. You may be eligible for financial support to help with the cost of transport and parking.

• Ask your hospital if they provide free parking for people having cancer treatment.
• See if you’re eligible for a Blue Badge. This helps you park closer to where you need to go, and can sometimes provide free parking.
• You might be able to claim travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs (HTCS)
• Ask your hospital if they provide patient transport. This can help you with getting to appointments if you are eligible and unable to travel any other way.

Find details about help with transport and parking from Macmillan Cancer Support or your hospital.