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If you're of working age and your capacity to work has been affected by a cancer diagnosis, there may be financial support available to you.

• For example, if your cancer and treatment affects your health, if you're caring for someone, or if you have a low income (even if it’s only for a short time), you could be eligible for support.

Many people don't consider applying or they put it off because:

• they don't think they're eligible
• they don't know what they're eligible for
• they're struggling with the idea of seeking support
• they've never claimed before and don't know where to start

Benefits can make a real difference to your finances, and can help ease financial stress at a difficult time.

You can apply regardless of your earnings or savings, since your eligibility will be assessed so you receive any support available to you.

A Maggie's benefits advisor can help you understand what benefits you might be eligible for and how to apply, so that you can fully maximise your income.

What benefits can I claim when I work?

The benefits you can claim when you're working age will relate to your individual circumstances. You may be able to claim for more than one benefit at once.

It's easy to miss out on money you're eligible for, which is why our experienced benefits advisors at your nearest Maggie's centre can give you individual advice about your situation.

These could include:

• low-income benefits â€“ including Universal Credit (UC), and Council Tax Reduction
• sickness and disability-related benefits â€“ such as Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland
• carer’s benefits â€“ such as Carer’s Allowance, or Carer Support Payment in Scotland, if you look after someone with cancer
  

There are many other benefits and grants that might be available to you too. Our benefits advisors will help you explore these.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

If you are unable to work as a result of a cancer diagnosis, then you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer.

• Some employers have their own sick policy that pays above and beyond Statutory Sick Pay, such as a number of sick days at full or half pay. Check your employment contract or speak to your HR team to find out.
• Contact your GP to get a fit note, which you will need to support your claim for SSP.
• When claiming SSP, you are considered 'off sick' and therefore cannot work. However, you can still keep in regular contact with work, for example, by arranging â€˜keeping in touch’ days or joining training days if you are fit enough to do so.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit you may be eligible for if you are unfit for work, even if you don't qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

You may be entitled to claim ESA if:

• you are currently unemployed
• you are self-employed
• you are employed but not entitled to SSP
• your SSP has run out

You must have paid or been credited with National Insurance contributions within the last three years to claim.

ESA is not affected by savings, but if you have a private pension, this may reduce the amount of ESA you are entitled to.

You are allowed to do a certain amount of work while claiming ESA. You can work up to 16 hours and earn up to £140 a week. This is referred to as 'permitted work'.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP is an extra benefit if you have difficulties with daily living activities and getting around.

• You can claim it on top of any other income or benefits
• It doesn't matter if you have any other income or savings
• You can claim whether you work or not
• When you return to work, you may still be eligible to receive PIP if you continue to have difficulties with personal care or mobility issues, either temporarily or long term
• The amount of PIP you can claim may change over time depending on your needs

Your claim is regularly reviewed by the Disability and Carers Service, part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You may need less support because your health has improved, or you may need additional support.

In Scotland, PIP has been replaced with Adult Disability Payment (ADP). The same rules as PIP apply.

Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit (UC) is a means-tested benefit that can be applied for if you are of working age or in a mixed-age couple (if one of you is of working age).

It combines help with living costs and housing costs, whether you're in work or not.

• When you apply, you will be asked if you work, and how many hours you work.
• Savings and other income are taken into consideration when calculating if you are entitled to Universal Credit.
• UC is calculated on a month to month basis. The amount you get adjusts automatically based on your earnings and other income within that month.
• You may be entitled to additional UC if you are unfit for work and considered as having a ‘limited capability for work-related activity’. Additional amounts can also be included if you are responsible for dependents or if you are a carer.
• In some circumstances it's possible to claim UC on top of other benefits.

Speak to a benefits advisor at your nearest Maggie's centre for support with claiming UC.

Other benefits

Other benefits to help with bills and costs include:

• council tax
• help with health costs, such as the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) and the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)
• free school meals and clothing grants
• family benefits (Social Security Scotland only)
• housing benefit (if not claiming UC)
• carer's allowance and carer's support payment

There may be grants available, depending on your occupation, to help support you if you need to take time off work or are struggling financially. You can search for potential charitable grants on the .

Special rules for nearing end of life

If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, Special Rules mean you may be eligible to access benefits faster and at higher rates.

These benefits include Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Universal Credit (UC).

Benefits provided by the DWP often required an SR1 form (formerly a DS1500 form).

• If a medical professional expects you to live for 12 months or less, you can ask for an SR1 form from them. A doctor or nurse must fill out the SR1 form to confirm eligibility.

In Scotland, to claim ADP under Special Rules, a doctor or nurse must fill out a BASRiS form to confirm your eligibility.

• In Scotland, the health professional does not need to specify how long you are expected to live. There is specific clinical guidance available to determine who meets the criteria for a BASRiS form. You can ask your health professional for this form directly.
  

Maggie's can help with money worries

Understanding which benefits might apply to you and how to claim can feel like navigating through a maze – but we're here to help.

You can get individual advice about your situation from one of our experienced benefits advisors at your nearest Maggie's centre.

We can help you:

• understand what benefits or other support applies to you if you have cancer or are caring for someone who does
• fill out application forms
• discuss issues that come up as you go through the claims process or if your circumstances change over time.

Last review: Apr 2026 | Next review: Apr 2029