Maggie's Swansea | The financial impact of cancer and the help available to those affected
Christmas is a time of year where many can find it hard to make ends meet but, as Maggie’s Swansea benefits advisor Michael David explains, such concerns can be considerably exacerbated for those living with cancer.
While the festive period is looked upon as an important time to spend with close friends and family, it inevitably brings financial pressures.
There are presents to buy for your nearest and dearest, increased heating and electricity costs due to the cold weather and decorations, there’s food and drink to be purchased; and these are all costs that have risen considerably in recent years.
Consider then the challenges it can pose for people affected by cancer who, research suggests, on average lose nearly £1,000 of income per month as a result of a diagnosis.
Add those worries on top of the physical and mental impact of cancer, and the effect can be devastating.
“I think most people are aware of what the physical and mental impact of a cancer diagnosis can be, but the financial side of things can have a huge impact too,” he said.
“It adds to the challenges people face. We are coming up to Christmas, which is an expensive time of year anyway and people will always be striving to do the best they can for their friends and families.
“But, if you then think of the cost-of-living crisis people are facing, how inflation has impacted the cost of food, and there’s the cost of electricity and utilities as you are at home more over the festive period, it all adds up.
“There was a study just prior to the cost-of-living crisis which assessed the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis, and how it can leave people worse off.
“The figure they arrived at was around £891 a month. Given that study was carried out a few years ago, it’s not hard to imagine that figure now being higher.
“So, if you think of that in terms of having a pay packet at the end of the month and it has £891 less than what you are used to taking home and it has a huge impact.
“Then, you add in that you have had a cancer diagnosis amidst that, and it can be devastating for people.”
But that is where Michael and Maggie’s can provide invaluable help and support, with their work helping secure £1.3million of financial support to centre users during 2022 alone.
Having previously worked in the Department for Work and Pensions prior to joining Maggie’s over three years ago, he is well-equipped to understand and identify the numerous levels of support and help that are available.
The financial assistance available is wide in scope, and many may well be unaware of exactly what aid and relief they might have access to.
It can range from benefits for illness or disability, it could be gaining access to a blue badge permit, covering the costs of travelling to and from appointments.
Some of these are not limited to the person who has been diagnosed, there are also provisions for those providing care for them.
It means that Michael’s role is a wide-ranging one but, as he points out, that is because there is help out there that so many can benefit from, and Maggie’s is on hand to help with filling out any paperwork and assisting with documentation requirements at a time when such tasks can feel overwhelming for cancer patients and those close to them.
“My role is basically assessing the entitlement of centre visitors to benefits and financial support,” he says.
“It is a varied role, it can cover benefit checks, helping people apply for financial aid for people who may need more support. It covers grant applications, blue badge applications and it can even involve tribunals and other proceedings to help those who may have been turned down for benefits or help.
“It has many different elements. If you are unwell you have to take time off work, which can be worse if you are an agency worker or on a zero-hour contract.
“You may have people who are helping to care for you who need to take time off work to accompany you to appointments, there’s the cost of petrol of getting back and forth to treatment, extra heating and electrical costs at home.
“We may deal with people who are no longer be able to work so we can look at PIP, attendance allowances and we will help with applications and support hopefully through to a successful outcome.
“We take care of the bureaucracy side of it. No-one has to fill forms out by themselves, they can be very complicated and long. Some are as long as 40 or 50 pages, some are online and sometimes not, and you also need to understand the sort of language required and the supporting evidence or documentation you might need.
“We help with all that, you do not go through that process alone. We can do it all here. Some people do choose to do it themselves, and we empower people to do that if that is what they wish to do and provide guidance if it is ever needed.
“We offer a will writing service. It can be a sensitive issue, but a cancer diagnosis can open people’s eyes to the fact they might need to think about getting these things in place. It’s just about making people aware.
“The help is here for anyone who is struggling with money worries while also dealing with the effects of living with cancer.”
And Michael is keen to stress that financial help from Maggie’s, as with all the services they provide for people affected by cancer in our community, is free and has no time limit. The help you need is there when you need it.
“Our services are free and there is no time limit on them,” he says.
“Maggie’s is unique in that sense, as I don’t think there is anywhere else you can just walk through the door and get free advice.
“There is no timescale, no cut off date, you can keep coming in as long as you need help and advice.
“There is support out there, do not be afraid to come forward and do not be afraid to ask.
“The support is there. Whether that is coming to a drop-in session, filling out a form or - if you are further afield - being able to get in touch virtually.
“My job title is benefits advisor, but I view my brief as being wider than that. I work in cancer support and sometimes the conversations I have with people can also help lead them into other elements of the support we provide at Maggie’s.
“People are free to pick and choose what they need and when they need it.
“My message to anyone who needs support is simple; get in touch.”
Maggie’s has linked up with Swansea City for the ‘Tackling Cancer Together’ campaign and as the club’s official charity partner for the 2023-24 season.
The campaign is tied in to the club’s eye-catching pink third kit for the 2023-24 season, which also carries colours representing a number of the most common types of cancer.
And Michael believes the kit and the campaign have a vital role to play in raising awareness of the numerous support sectors covered by Maggie’s.
“It’s a great campaign and we are really pleased and proud to be partnering with Swansea City this season,” he says.
“The kit looks great and it has been wonderful seeing so many people wearing the jersey in Swansea and the wider community.
“Fundraising is so important for us at Maggie’s, we rely on donations to keep the doors open and deliver our services, and this campaign and partnership will help us to do that, but also to make sure more and more people know the support we can provide.”