Benefits

You may be entitled to a variety of benefits. The rules on Benefits are always changing. Ask a friend to collect the latest benefit leaflets from a Post Office or DSS office for you. The Social Work department in the hospital will also have up-to-date information on benefits. Some examples of benefits are:

  • Disability Living Allowance, which may help towards taxi fares or any extra help you may need.
  • Invalidity Benefit, if you are off work for a long period
  • Invalid Care Allowance, for a member of your family who needs to give you care.

Remember to seek early advice on benefits so that you do not lose out on what you are entitled to.

Help from your local Social Services Department

If your illness causes any disability you may be eligible for help in your home from your social services, such as Home Care Assistance. They may also provide you with aids in the house, such as a bath rail or a ramp at the front door. Get in touch with your local social services department to find out what help you are entitled to.
Paying for prescriptions.

Unfortunately, cancer patients are not yet exempt from prescription charges. If you are a woman under 60 or a man under 65 you will have to pay for every prescription. This can be very expensive. Ask your pharmacist in the hospital or in your High Street about getting a "season ticket" for prescriptions. This will save you some money. However, if the brain tumour or your treatment has caused seizures you may be exempt from prescription charges. Ask your pharmacist and doctor about this rule.

Hospital Transport

Hospital ambulances are usually only available to patients who are too poorly or disabled to use any other form of transport for their hospital appointments. If you have any worries or queries about how to get to and from the hospital always go to the out-patient enquiry desk and ask their advice.

Dial-A-Ride

Some boroughs have a minibus scheme called Dial-A-Ride which may be able to take you to shops or to visit friends, if you are unable to use your car or public transport because of disability or physical weakness. Dial-a-Ride will not, however, take people to hospital appointments. Find out your local Dial-a-Ride phone number and see if you can get their help.

Information from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

If you are in any doubt about what help is available, go into a local CAB office, or get a friend to go for you, and ask their advice. They will do all they can to help you with information about benefits, disability services, the NHS, local borough services, driving and insurance.

Volunteer help

Some boroughs have a volunteer bureau which may find you a volunteer who will act like a friend and help you with shopping, or exercise your pet, or stay with you for an evening if you are on your own. A volunteer can be very helpful if you have not got local friends or family. Your local CAB will be able to put you in touch with the local volunteer bureau.

Help from Marie Curie or MacMillan nurses

These are two charities which help cancer patients in a variety of ways. They may visit you at home and give moral support and practical advice. If the person you live with has to go out for an evening and you do not like being on your own the Marie Curie or MacMillan nurses may arrange for somebody to spend the evening with you.