The free service at the specialist cancer support centre helped to ease money worries of people, some terminally ill, who find it hard to cope.
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Advice: Benefits adviser Chris Bissett talks to former cancer patient and Maggie’s volunteer Anne Singh at the Maggie’s cancer support centre at the City Hospital.
Last year nearly 1,000 people sought information from Maggie’s about entitlements, making benefits advice one of the services most in demand at the centre in the City Hospital grounds, where emotional, practical and psychological support is provided.
Cancer patients list money worries as a main concern, second only to major pain, and it is only once they have been helped to put their finances in order that they can focus on treatment.
The vital support is likely to be more crucial than ever in the year ahead due to benefit cuts, such as the new bedroom tax, which started this month.
Chris Bissett, Maggie’s benefits adviser, helps patients navigate their way through the complex benefits system.
He said: “This financial support is often crucial in supporting those with cancer as they go through what may be a very traumatic and stressful period in their lives.”
Both patients and carers may be entitled to claim.
One man in his 70s, who lives in Rushcliffe and had never claimed benefits in his life, discovered he was entitled to attendance allowance.
The grandfather, who has received treatment for prostate cancer, said: “If your health is bad, there are things you worry about such as keeping warm, and everyone finds that a problem. This is a godsend.
“It removes a certain degree of worry about the bills.”
His payment was backdated and he now receives £308 a month. “It’s a very significant sum,” he added.
“Chris is a very approachable, friendly and well-informed person.”
A 53-year-old man, diagnosed with a brain tumour, had been on statutory sick pay and then long-term employment support allowance. When his benefit ran out he was placed in an inappropriate group.
However, after intervention by Mr Bissett, a late appeal was submitted and employment support allowance was awarded again. The man was placed in the appropriate group and awarded backdated benefits amounting to over £2,000.
Mr Bissett also helped a 62-year-old woman, already suffering chronic arthritic pain and in receipt of benefits, when she was diagnosed with lung cancer.
As her health gradually deteriorated, her care needs increased.
Mr Bissett said: “We were successful in applying for an increase in entitlement to disability allowance.
“This also enabled her daughter to claim carers’ allowance in recognition of the extra care and support she was providing to her mother.”
Maggie’s Monday to Friday benefits advice drop-in sessions are special.
“Having a benefits advice service located close to where patients receive their treatment and based within a comfortable, welcoming centre, where patients can consider joining in with other activities and support groups is what makes Maggie’s unique,” said Mr Bissett.
The benefits service is funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery which has awarded Maggie’s Nottingham £231,954 over the next three years.
Maggie’s – built with the help of Post readers who raised more than £500,000 towards the £3 million project – is open every weekday from 9am-5pm.
