FINANCIAL Assistance

Hi Chosen One, 

I am sorry you find yourself here.

The only way I can answer your question is please call the Macmillan helpline, they have a team that will be able to advise. 

You are in shock right now and most certainly overwhelmed which is completely understandable. Please take a moment to breathe and take it one day at a time, believe it or not you will start to feel a bit better once treatment starts as it’s a way of moving forward from the loops going on right now. This is how I felt anyway. 

There is loads of support and reassurance on this site and the Macmillan team are there if you need them. Your questions right now are financially related but please do use there forums to gain emotional support or ask any questions needed, there is a wealth of first hand knowledge, the optimism is priceless. 

xxx

Thank you so much for reaching out to me!

I really appreciate it! I will do that.

I’m so sorry to hear your struggle. I’m sure MacMillan will advise you best, and I know there are also private cancer charities also. Good luck with everything

Dear Chosen One

Thank you so much!!!

I too was struggling financially.  To be honest I still am.  Fortunately my company does pay sick pay.   I have worked for them for over 40 years.

However as soon as I found out that I was only going to be paid statutory sick pay for 28 weeks, I went into panic mode.   I have Stage III metastasis axillary, IDC carcinoma breast cancer.  Also HER2 positive and a few others.  Had chemo for 7 cycles was supposed to gave 11 but also the Herceptin injections combined with Docetaxemol caused heart problems.   All treatment had to stop.

Anyway, I contacted Macmillan Cancer Support..0300 300 8145.  I spoke to a lovely kind and compassionate gentleman.   He was so informative and guided me through form filling over the phone.   I was told that I could ben eligible for a one time grant of up to £1000.   This does not have to be repaid.   As it turned out, because my company were paying me statutory sick pay I actually received £350...far less than was envisaging but it was more than one would get if they did not ask.

I have also applied for Universal Credit.  This can be done online.   I have now been advised to go for DWP's PIP.   Again lots of form filling but this is sent out to you in the post.   I am waiting to hear the outcome.   It is a wrench from having earned nearly £2,750 per month to only receiving statutory sick pay  and the little received from Universal Credit.   Unfortunately Universal Credit does have to be repaid back!   I opted to pay this back over 2 years unless my circumstances changed.   Once again because I receive statutory sick pay from my company, the Universal Credit is deducted from the amount of my "earnings"... although it is only statutory sick pay and not a salary.

The government statutory sick pay is just over £90 per week so I have been told.   Hope this applies for you.

I sincerely hope the above assists.  Please keep us informed.

I wish you a safe and fruitful journey throughout your cancer treatment plan.

I will not be around for a week as from tomorrow.  I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction a fortnight ago but, sadly in my case, the reconstruction has caused problems...my skin is dying but I am having more surgery urgently tomorrow.

Kaz1959

I will be praying for you consistently!...I really appreciate you taking the time out to respond back to me with all of that wealth of information. I MOST certainly will call them! My nurse Navigator gave me tons of resources and I have filled out mountains of paper work. It's a waiting process as is everything else. I am trying to get everything in place and set up before my treatment plan begins in another week.

I will be thinking of you and as soon as you're able, PLEASE reach out to me to let me know how you're doing

Dear Chosen One

I certainly will keep you in the loop so to speak and, thank you too.   We are all in this fight together.   Please remember there is plenty of support and advice on these forums.  Sadly I reached out last year in March 2021 when I was diagnosed and no one seemed interested in my asking for support.   Just one of those things.   I bear no ill will to non communication.  Each and everyone of us deals with a diagnosis in different ways.

I hope you too have lots of support from friends and, especially family.

I forgot to mention.  I also spoke to my bank and they too offered financial support.  Waiving all fees (overdraft etc if you have one).     It is surprising but very nice that even utility/phone companies etc are compassionate as are mail order companies if you have one.   They offer support and guidance and can work out repayment plans and/or holiday breaks from repayments.   Honestly it is worth contacting these people if it is something you have.   It takes a lot of extra burden and weight off one's mind.

Hope chemo goes well.   If you get any side effects at all, please, please reach out to your breast care nurse who will be assigned to you.  I did several times even when hospitalised 4 times but that's only because my body kept on wanting to reject the drugs going into my body.    Positive thoughts is a good sign even when things are tough.   You are not alone.   Please if you ever need to vent or chat about anything, my door/heart is open for you.   However not for 10 days.

Kaz1959

Thank You So Much!!!!!...yes, family, friends and support groups are AWESOME!!!!....I have actually had to walk this walk with my mother, my father, my brother, my aunt and now....here I am.... I ve started with counseling, my nurse Navigator is UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME!!!!....MY ENTIRE MEDICAL TEAM HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS BURDEN LIFTER!!!!...GOD has calmed my heart down which calmed my mind!....PASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND KEEP ME POSTED!!

Hope you get your PIP.  There's a thread here on it 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer-forum/f/general/232718/pip-claim-with-breast-cancer/1758036#1758036

Sadly it's vert common to be turned down in application but do a Mandatory reconsideration and if necessary an appeal . 

I really think PIP should be automatic award for cancer patients with no qualifying period even if only a 12 month temporary award .  

Also if you I'm a union or yourself or partner a Mason thru have charities you can apply to x