Access to benefits
Nearly all cancer patients suffer some loss of income and/or increased living costs as a direct result of their cancer diagnosis. Many are forced to give up work as their treatment begins. Plus, there are increased expenses for new clothes to cope with weight loss or gain, or increased heating bills.
Financial support is available from the government in the form of benefits for those who are eligible. However, many cancer patients do not know about them and it can take up to six months before they can claim them. We do not think this is fair.
What we want
We believe that cancer patients urgently need a better deal and are calling on the government to:
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ensure every cancer patient is offered specialist benefits advice at diagnosis
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waive the 3- and 6-month retrospective qualifying periods for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, and the 6-month prospective test for Disability Living Allowance for cancer patients.
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change the hospital downrating rules so that patients do not lose their Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance after 28 days in hospital.
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conduct a review of the DLA/AA terminal illness rules that looks at how the process is working and whether the definition of terminal illness should be widened from six to 12 months.
View the financial support you may be entitled to