World Cancer Day: Providing support for people dealing with cancer

On World Cancer Day, we want to highlight the financial support people with cancer and their carers could be eligible for.

We know there are additional costs that can come with having cancer or caring for someone who has cancer. A cancer diagnosis can change someone’s financial situation. They may need to stop working or work less, and the impact of the illness can result in them spending additional money on costs like transport, fuel bills, help caring for themselves at home, and childcare.

Those caring for someone with cancer can face similar financial challenges, perhaps having to stop work to care for a loved one, or pay for taxis or petrol to accompany them to and from hospital appointments.

There are a number of benefits that we deliver that people with cancer and their carers could be eligible for:

Adult Disability Payment is extra money to help people who have a long-term illness or a disability that affects their everyday life. It replaces Personal Independence Payment people in Scotland previously delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions. This could help if, for example, someone with cancer’s mobility has been affected and they need to pay for taxis to get around. We will fast track applications from people with a terminal illness where a diagnosis also indicates end of life care will be needed.

Child Disability Payment is extra money to help with the costs of caring for a child with a disability or ill-health condition. It replaces Disability Living Allowance for children in Scotland that was previously delivered by the DWP. This could help provide money to pay things like care equipment or transport costs for a child living with cancer.

Winter Heating Payment is a yearly payment of £50 to help people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs during the winter. It will be paid automatically so there is no need to apply.

Child Winter Heating Assistance is an automatic payment to help disabled children and young people and their families with increased heating costs over winter.

Support is also available for people who are caring for someone who has cancer. They could be eligible for:

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an automatic payment made twice a year to people who get Carer’s Allowance through the DWP on certain dates each year. A person caring for someone with cancer, providing personal care or helping with medication, for instance, could be entitled to this payment.

Young Carer Grant is an annual payment of £326.65 for people 16, 17 or 18 who care for people who get a disability benefit from the DWP for an average of 16 hours a week or more.

A young person caring for a family member, friend or neighbour with cancer could be entitled to this payment, which can include giving them emotional support or helping them with their mental health.

To find out more about these benefits and apply online, over the phone or book an appointment to apply in-person, people can visit mygov.scot/benefits or call us free on 0800 182 2222.