Macmillan CAB Welfare Benefits Advice Service
People assume that if they’re entitled to support, someone will tell them but often, no one does
Macmillan CAB Welfare Benefits Advice Service, Northern Ireland is one of 10 Lottery-funded projects in the Best Health Project category of this year's National Lottery Awards, in association with FemaleFirst.co.uk
Coping with cancer is hard enough without further challenges. Macmillan research shows that 90% of people with cancer suffer financial difficulties as a result of their diagnosis. Most are eligible for benefits, but often don’t realise or are unable to go through the process of claiming.
As much as £127 million goes unclaimed by terminally ill people in the UK each year. The Macmillan CAB Welfare Benefits Advice Service is helping more individuals and families in Northern Ireland get the help they’re entitled to, so they have one less thing to worry about.
"People assume that if they’re entitled to support, someone will tell them but often, no one does," says Heather Monteverde, general manager of Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern Ireland. This can be due to a lack of knowledge about welfare rights among healthcare professionals. As 90% of the people affected have never claimed benefits before, help negotiating the process at a time when they’re particularly vulnerable can be vital. And it’s certainly a problem worth tackling: Macmillan’s research shows finances are second only to physical pain as a source of stress for people with cancer.
The service is based at Belfast’s cancer care centre, which caters for the whole of Northern Ireland. Being on-site means that patients, who can be weak and suffering side-effects from treatment, are able to access the centre easily. It also means that paperwork, which often needs input from hospital staff, can be processed much more quickly. This is important, as it prevents people getting into difficulties and saves them a lot of additional anxiety, says Heather.
Lottery funding pays for the two professional advisors and the administrative assistant who run the centre. People can drop in at any time for advice and information and receive all the help they need in making benefits claims or other ways to improve their finances. Additional training is also provided for partner organisations, including Northern Bank, NI Cancer Network, other charities, and health and social care providers.
To vote visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or phone 0844 686 3098