Work, financial help and benefits for people having chemotherapy
- Work
- Benefits
- Help with NHS costs
- Financial help
Work
Some types of chemotherapy can be given to you as a day patient or as tablets to take at home, but if you have to spend time in hospital or if you feel unwell, you may need to make changes to your usual routines. Most employers will be sympathetic if you explain why you need time off work. It is helpful to talk to your employer or personnel officer to explain how much time off you may need and what you will be able to do. Obviously things may change, but your employer will appreciate being given some idea of what to expect.
Cancerbackup has a booklet on work and cancer, with detailed information about work issues for people with cancer, employment rights and financial effects.
Benefits
If you are employed and unable to work, your employer can pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for a maximum of 28 weeks.
If you are still unable to work after this period, you may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit. There are three rates of Incapacity Benefit: a short-term lower rate, a short-term higher rate and a long-term rate.
You can claim the short-term higher rate of benefit from the Benefits Agency if you have paid the correct level of National Insurance contributions. If you are still unable to work after one year, you can claim long-term Incapacity Benefit.
If you are self-employed you are entitled to the same benefits as long as you have been paying the correct National Insurance contributions.
People who are unemployed and unable to work cannot claim Job Seeker’s Allowance but can apply to see if they qualify for the short-term lower rate of Incapacity Benefit.
People who are not eligible for Incapacity Benefit because they have not paid the relevant National Insurance contributions may qualify for Income Support.
If you are ill and not able to work, remember to ask your GP for a medical certificate for the period of your illness. If you are in hospital, ask your doctor or nurse for a certificate to cover the time that you are an inpatient. This will be necessary if you need to claim a benefit. You may need to take a medical test to see if you are eligible to claim.
You may qualify for Disability Living Allowance (if you are under 65) or for Attendance Allowance (if you are over 65). Ask your local Social Security office for claim forms. There is a fast-track claim for people who may not live longer than 6 months. People who are claiming under this ‘special rule’ need to get their doctor to complete a form for either benefit. It is impossible to tell exactly how long someone may live and many people with advanced cancer may be entitled to this benefit, so it can be helpful to check with your doctor.
You may also be able to get tax credits from the Inland Revenue such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. You can get information about these from a social worker, Citizens Advice Bureau, the Department for Work and Pensions or the Tax Credits Helpline 0845 300 3900.
The Benefits Agency has two sections (IB1 and SD1) which outline all these benefits and others you may be entitled to. You can get a copy from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Social Security office, where staff will also be able to advise you about the benefits you can claim. You will usually need to make an appointment. Their addresses and telephone numbers are in the phone book. You can also get information from the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200 or the Department for Work and Pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk
Help with NHS costs
If you are on a low income you may be entitled to help with NHS costs including travel expenses for hospital treatment, dental treatment, prescriptions, wigs, glasses and sight tests. You can get information about these benefits from your local Social Security office, the Benefit Enquiry Line (0800 882200) or the Department of Work and Pensions website (www.dwp.gov.uk). The booklet HC11, Are you entitled to help with health costs?, is available from post offices and social security offices.
You are automatically entitled to free prescriptions, and do not have to pay other NHS costs, if you:
- are over 60
- are under 16, or aged 16-19 and still in full-time education
- claim Income Support or some other benefits
- are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
- have a war or MOD Disablement Pension and need prescriptions for a war injury.
- have particular long-term medical conditions – details of these are given in leaflet HC11 (see above).
Unfortunately, cancer itself does not entitle you to free prescriptions once you have left hospital, but you may be eligible for other reasons.
Many people who are prescribed chemotherapy as tablets or capsules to take at home will have to pay for their prescriptions unless they are exempt for the reasons given above. If you are not automatically entitled to free prescriptions, but are on a low income you can apply on the Low-income Scheme claim form HC1 for a certificate for free services or reduced costs. Form HC1 is available from Social Security offices and NHS hospitals, some GPs, dentists and the Health Literature line on 0800 555 777.
If you need many prescriptions but can't get them free you can cut costs by buying a pre-payment certificate (PPC) for four months or a year. You save money if you need more than five prescription items in four months, or more than 14 items in one year. You can get a claim form (FP95) from your GP, your health authority or main post offices. Ring 0845 850 0030 to buy a PPC over the phone using your credit or debit card.
Financial help
The social worker at the hospital can give you advice on sources of financial help. You may also be able to claim grants and benefits from other organisations or charities. Macmillan Cancer Relief gives grants and financial advice to people with cancer. They produce a booklet called Help with the costs of cancer. A book that gives details of all the trusts and organisations that provide financial support is available from bookshops or local libraries. It is called A guide to grants for individuals in need.
