Welfare rights advice
On this page
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How our welfare rights advisers can help you
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How to contact our welfare rights advisers
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Language interpreters and options if you are Deaf or hard of hearing
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Preparing for your call with an adviser
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Online tools and information
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Other ways our support line can help
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Our commitment to service
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About our information
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How we can help
How our welfare rights advisers can help you
We know that money is a big and often difficult thing to talk about when you’re living with cancer. You may earn less if you need to stop working or reduce your hours. You may also need to spend more on things like heating or travelling to hospital.
"When people call Macmillan they're often surprised that the financial support is there for them...by calling Macmillan, we can ease that burden." Chris, Welfare Rights Adviser
Our specialist welfare rights advisers can give you free and confidential advice and help you to find out what benefits and financial support you might be entitled to.
We can help you with:
- a full benefits check to see what you are entitled to apply for
- questions about different benefits such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- how to access your pensions early and Pension Credit
- completing benefit application forms
- challenging decisions on benefit claims
- applying for a Macmillan Grant.
Booklets and resources
How to contact our welfare rights advisers
Most people call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 as it can be easier to discuss your circumstances in real time with an adviser. When you call you will hear a set of options to direct you to the right service. The Welfare Rights team are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm.
You can also chat to us online. 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 prefer to email us with questions, please complete our online form. All emails are answered during opening hours and we will reply within 2 working days.
Language interpreters and options if you are Deaf or hard of hearing
We have interpreters available on our support line if you would like to speak to someone in a different language. Please state the language you need (in English) when you phone.
If you are Deaf or hard of hearing you can chat online, or visit the Macmillan Support Line page for details about using text relay or arranging a British Sign Language interpreter.
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.
It can help to think about any question you want to ask, and to have something ready to takes notes with.
Find out more about preparing for your call with an adviser.
Booklets and resources
Online tools and information
- We have information on our website about benefits and financial support information including help with travel, childcare and paying bills.
- Find out what benefits you might be eligible for by completing our online benefits calculator.
- If you are worried about money, answer a few questions to help us direct you to personalised information about money and cancer to help you find the support you need.
- Our Online Community is a safe space where you can chat anonymously people in a similar situation to yours. You can also use the Ask the expert forum to ask questions.
- We have information available in other languages and formats.
Booklets and resources
Other ways our support line can help
We know that cancer can impact all aspects of our lives. Our support line is made up of specialist teams who can help you with:
- Emotional and practical support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer. 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
- Clinical information from our nurses about things like diagnosis and treatments from our nurse specialists. 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
- Questions about money and cancer, and energy costs. Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
- Questions about work, or if you're self-employed. Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
To contact any of our teams call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00, chat online, or email us and you will be given the options and opening times for each team.
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.
About our information
This information has been produced by Macmillan's Digital Content Editor team and reviewed by Macmillan's Direct Services team.
Learn more about how we produce our cancer information.