Helping with the costs of cancer: Macmillan Welfare Rights Service
The Macmillan Welfare Rights Service recognises that having cancer can have a devastating impact on the household income, as hours of work are reduced or stop altogether at a time when costs increase. A key aim of the service is to alleviate the risk of financial hardship.
Recent Macmillan research, concerning the costs of cancer, has suggested that cancer has an average monthly cost of £570 due to loss of income and increased costs, including hospital travel costs and increased heating costs.
Macmillan predicts that by 2020, nearly 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Therefore, we expect that the demand for free, independent, welfare rights advice will increase.
Recent research from Macmillan suggests that people are not always aware of the financial help that they are eligible for and that they find the benefits system complex and difficult to navigate. The Macmillan Welfare Rights Service has worked hard to alleviate some of the financial impacts of a cancer diagnosis by assisting the client to claim appropriate welfare benefits and grant entitlements. The team also assists with mandatory reconsiderations and appeals, where a decision needs to be challenged.
Who can use the service?
The service is available to people who live in Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough, who have a cancer diagnosis. The team also delivers advice sessions to patients of the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.
If you live in Luton
Please note: There's a separate Macmillan Welfare Rights Service for Luton residents (link opens in new window).
Hospital advice sessions
Luton and Dunstable Hospital
The Macmillan Cancer Unit
Lewsey Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU4 0DZ
Day / time: Tuesday, 9am until 1pm
Book an appointment: 0300 300 8145
The Primrose Unit
Kempston Road
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK42 9DJ
Day / time: Tuesday and Friday, 9am to 4pm
Book an appointment: 0300 300 8145