Cancer patients promised £850K from charity to help with cost of living crisis

Macmillan has committed about £852,600 over the next three years to help South Londoners living with cancer who are impacted by the worsening cost of living crisis. 

The cancer support charity will channel those funds to two specialists advice services for cancer patients based out of Citizens Advice Southwark and Wandsworth. 

Last year, the advice and support given by those two Macmillan-funded partners in South London unlocked almost £3.2million in benefits cancer sufferers were entitled to because of their illness.  

The free, specialist advice services helped 920 south Londoners with cancer. 

Rodrigo Nelson Fenick Figueroa, a Macmillan Benefits Case Worker at Citizens Advice Wandsworth, said: “The welfare benefits system can be a minefield, that many cancer patients have never had to navigate before their diagnosis. But having us there, providing free, expert, and impartial support, gives them confidence. 

“Cancer patients are entitled to these welfare benefits, and we can help at any stage of their cancer pathway. We can check eligibility for benefits, or a Macmillan grant, and help fill out forms. We can also deal with any disputes that may arise from a benefit claim.”

Yvonne Beadle, Macmillan strategic partnership manager for London, said: “People living with cancer need to be able to come to terms with their diagnosis and to then focus on their cancer treatment, coping with whatever challenges their treatment involves. 

“Financial worries should be the last thing on anyone’s mind when they are diagnosed with cancer, but the financial impact from things such as being unable to work, needing to use more energy for feeling the cold and needing certain foods is all the harder due to the cost-of-living crisis.”

Macmillan has also pledged to maintain its Macmillan Grant scheme – which is a one-off, means tested payment of £350 to help with the extra costs that living with cancer can bring. 

To find your local Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service visit macmillan.org.uk/in-your-area and enter your postcode. Or, call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, open seven days a week, from 8am-8pm. 

Pictured top: Rodrigo Nelson Fenick Figueroa (left), a Macmillan Benefits Case Worker at Citizens Advice Wandsworth (Picture: Macmillan Cancer Support)