Where to get Financial Help

It is important to remember that there are plenty of financial resources available.
If you have been employed and unable to work because of your diagnosis of Breast Cancer, you should be entitiled to Statutory Sick Pay for the first 28 weeks of abscence from work. If your sickness goes beyond this, you may be eligible to claim from a range of welfare benefits to help support you financially.

Your employer should also be able to explain your entitlement.

If any Doubts contact the Local Jobcentre Plus office, Social Security office or The Citizens Advice Bureau.

Other Contacts include:

JobCentre Plus

JobCentre Plus
Benefit Enquiries Number:0845 600 1267

If in the Sheffield Area Phone Number: 0114 2590000

Macmillan Financial Help

Macmillan Benefits Helpline
Freephone- 0808 801 0304
They are a team of Experienced Welfare Benefit advisors who can support people affected by cancer to access financial help and benefits.

The Service is confidential.
Opening hours- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday- 10am- 5pm. Wed 12 noon- 5pm

Click on the Weblink to see whether you are eligible to apply for a patient Grant.
Patients grants provide financial assistance to people with cancer who have low income and savings.


For those in the Sheffield Area, There is benefit advice on Thursdays, At the Weston Park Hospital- The Harold Miller Centre.
Phone Number: 0114 - 226 5666
Thursday: 9:30-12pm

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Free phone Number: 0800 882200
(In Northern Ireland : 0808 800 6000

They produce leaflets outlining each benefit, contact DWP offices, Local libraries and Citizens advice.

BreastCancer Care

The Lavender Trust

Breast Cancer can count as a disability, if it affects you from carrying out your normal activities,this may be a schock to hear and quite disheartening hearing that you can be classed as 'legally disabled. However you must remember that it is not your fault that you have/had Breast Cancer or being labelled as 'disabled' temporarily/permanently, it does not have to mean your life has ended.

Those with a disability are protected from discrimination by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1995). Your Employer should not treat you unfavourably due to your Breast Cancer. However an employer should make the necessary adjustments, that are agreed with you and are conducive to you working in that environment.

For further details read the following article:

Disability Discrimination Article

Other websites

Relevant disability information

The Stationery Office

For a copy of the Draft bill:
www.tso.co.uk ( click on the Link above)
Contact the Stationery office: 0870 600 5522

If you want to know how the law keeps you at the moment, call the disability rights commission:
phone number: 08457 622 633
Click on the following link:

Disability Rights Commission

Breast Cancer Care Financial Help information

© Elvina Lee (2005)(2006)