Welfare rights advice
How our welfare rights advisors can help you
Living with cancer can affect your money, whether you are working, unemployed or retired. You may earn less if you stop working or reduce your hours. You may spend more on everyday costs, like heating or travelling to hospital.
If you are affected by cancer there are a range of benefits you may be entitled to which could help you with your everyday living costs.
Our specialist advisors can help you to find out what benefits you might be entitled to, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
We can also help you find out about other types of support available, such as:
In this video: Mo shares his experience of the financial impact of cancer. He talks about the challenges he faced and how Macmillan supported him to find benefits he was entitled to.
How to talk to an adviser
Macmillan Support Line
The welfare rights service is available to anyone who calls the Macmillan Support Line.
Our trained advisors, including cancer information specialist nurses can provide emotional support and practical information about all aspects of cancer. If you have any questions or you just need someone to listen, get in touch.
You can ask us about:
- What happens next if you have just been diagnosed.
- What to expect from scans, tests and different treatments.
- Where to get support with money and work.
- Where to get help with how you are feeling, whether you have just been diagnosed or you have finished treatment.
- Getting practical and emotional help to support family or friends living with cancer.
How to contact a Macmillan advisor
Most people call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00 as it can be easier to discuss diagnosis, treatments or practical support in real time with a specialist.
Our support line nurses and specialists offer a different service to the Macmillan nurses who work in hospitals, hospices and in the community. We have information about how a Macmillan nurse can help you.
"That phone call was like a huge, big hug down that line. I will never forget it; I will never forget how I felt. I will never be able to thank you enough. You gave me hope and you asked me what I needed." Melanie
You can also chat online with our specialists. When chat is open you will see a 'Chat to us' icon at the bottom right of your screen. Click this to start the service. You will be asked a few questions to direct you to the best service to support you.
If you would like to send us an email please complete our online form. All emails are answered during opening hours and we will reply within two working days.
However you get in touch we will always help you get support from the relevant service. The opening times for each of our support services are listed below.
Opening times
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Call 0808 808 00 00 or use our online chat to speak to an information and support advisor or specialist nurse. 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
- Welfare rights advice, Monday-Friday, 8am to 8pm, Saturday-Sunday, 9am to 5pm.
- Energy advice, Monday-Friday, 8am to 6pm.
- Financial guidance, Monday-Friday, 8am to 6pm.
- Work support service, Monday-Friday, 8am to 6pm.
How do I get support if the helpline is closed?
We know that there can be times that you might need information and support when the Macmillan Support Line is closed.
- You can request a call back during our opening hours and we will call you back during these times.
- Our Online Community forums are for people living with or affected by cancer to chat or ask questions. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- You can find lots of information written by our cancer information team on our website about diagnosis, treatments and the impacts of cancer.
What to do in an emergency
If you need emergency medical help you should talk to your doctor immediately, call 999 or go to your local hospital’s A&E department. They will understand and are trained to help.
You can also call Samaritans for free anytime on 116 123
Other ways we can help
Booklets and resources
Preparing for your call with an adviser
We recommend having any information about your household income or medical conditions with you before speaking with an adviser. Find out more about preparing for your call with an adviser.
Online tools and information
We also have information and tools online:
- Our benefits information provides information on getting support with travel, childcare and paying bills.
- Our Online Community is a safe space where you can chat anonymously with experts and people in a similar situation to yours. You can talk about anything cancer related, including benefits.
- Find out what benefits you might be eligible for by completing our benefits calculator.
- If you are worried about money. Answer a few questions to get advice about money and cancer to help you find the support you need.
Our commitment to service
Our customer charter [PDF] is our commitment to you and lets you know what you can expect from us.
We also provide a complaints procedure so you can highlight ways we can improve our service.
How we can help
If you have cancer, you may be able to get a Macmillan Grant to help with the extra costs of cancer. Find out who can apply and how to access our grants.