9:00pm Sunday 14th March 2010
By Hayley Court
TERMINAL cancer patients in Swindon are missing out on more than £315,000 in disability benefits, a report has found.
The findings come from charity Macmillan Cancer Support which says that £1.1 million is going unclaimed in Wiltshire as a whole, meaning Swindon accounts for 28.6 per cent of the county’s unclaimed cancer benefits.
More than 48 per cent of terminally ill cancer patients in the south west are dying without receiving either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance (AA) – benefits to which they are automatically entitled.
Macmillan claims low take-up is due to people not knowing they are eligible, the perceived stigma of claiming state benefits and the long and confusing claiming process.
Ciarán Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: ‘It’s tragic that cancer patients are struggling to make ends meet when there’s money available.
“Benefits can make a real difference to people who often have to deal with money worries on top of having cancer.
“Macmillan can help people find their way through the notoriously complicated benefits system so we urge people to go online or speak to a benefits adviser.”
Mr Devane said these findings are only the tip of the iceberg with millions more going unclaimed by people with cancer who do not have a terminal diagnosis.
By not claiming DLA or AA, relatives could also missing out on linked benefits such as Carers Allowance.
To help cancer patients and carers find out what benefits they may be able to claim, Macmillan has launched an easy-to-use online program called Benefits made Clear.
The interactive guide, which is the first provided by a charity, can be found at www.macmillan. org.uk/benefitsmadeclear.
The charity also provides financial information via a national helpline, local benefits advisers and a range of publications.
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