Benefits help for cancer sufferers

CANCER patients in the Dearne and Don Valley are being urged to access a new service that will help them claim welfare benefits.

Doncaster Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service is a joint venture between Macmillan Cancer Support, Bassetlaw Citizens Advice Bureau and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.  

The service has already advised 130 people and helped patients and carers claim £87,000 in benefits and grants.

The service is based at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) and is available to anyone with cancer in the Doncaster borough as well as their relatives and carers. It also provides support to anyone who incurs additional costs by helping someone with cancer.  

People can contact the service themselves or be referred there from clinics, GPs, community groups or other agencies.  

Jo Reeve, lead Macmillan welfare benefits adviser, said: “We want to ensure that financial hardship as a result of a cancer diagnosis is minimised as much as possible.  “There are benefits, grants and financial help available to cancer sufferers and their carers.  

“Our role is to identify them and assist with claims and applications quickly so that people affected by cancer get the financial support they are entitled to and when they most need it.  

“Filling in forms at the best of times can be difficult and time consuming, and this is especially so when you are not feeling well.  

“That’s why we are here to offer advice, help and support.”

For more information contact Doncaster Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service on 01302 647681.