A SERVICE to help people living with cancer cope with the benefits system has been launched to offer financial support.

The Hertfordshire County Council’s Money Advice Unit are working with Macmillan Cancer Support to cancer patients, their families and carers access benefits at the right time.

Four in five people with cancer are on average £570 a month worse off because of their diagnosis, and this service looks to address their needs.

The launch of the new service coincided with the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on September 29.

Adviser Tony Sloan said: “Being able to help people who are reeling because they have just received life-affecting news and may be in a crisis situation is the biggest satisfaction of the job for me. To be able to ease that financial burden is huge.

“Being part of the Macmillan team has increased my own understanding of cancer and the treatments available.

“Many patients are struggling to keep up with their bills, particularly mortgage and council tax, whilst off work receiving treatment.

“In one case we were able to help a patient claim an extra £473 in weekly benefits to help cope with these and other expenses until well enough to return to work.”

Macmillan Partnership Manager for Hertfordshire Louise Osborne, said: “People are often surprised at how much their finances can be affected after being diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s often the last thing you might think about, but having cancer can be expensive. Added costs such as travel to hospital appointments, increased heating bills and parking charges all mount up.

“We need to reach people as early as we can so people with cancer receive specialist financial support at diagnosis, during treatment, palliative care and end of life”.

Patients can now attend advice sessions at Watford General Hospital, Grove House Hospice, the Hospice of St Francis and the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre at the Lister.

For more information visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00.