Cancer sufferer spent six hours filling out Universal Credit forms

BY VIVIENNE AITKEN vivienne.aitken@reachplc.com Macmillan Cancer Support estimate more than 2600 cancer patients in Scotland – including some with a terminal diagnosis – are at real risk of hardship if the Universal Credit system is rolled out further.

Macmillan benefits adviser Elaine Donnelly, who also works for the CAB, has seen the impact of Universal Credit for the past few years.

She said: “We’ve had people die before they got their benefits. The system doesn’t work. We’ve been lucky that we have great people in the local Jobcentre who have helped us develop workarounds that mean we can get people who are terminally ill through the system more quickly. But it shouldn’t have to rely on that.”

The side effects of cancer and its treatment can affect someone’s ability to work. As a result, four in five Scottish patients are hit with an average cost of £420 a month because of lost income and extra outgoings, such as increased household bills due to feeling the cold more.

More than a quarter of those diagnosed have no savings.

The current Universal Credit rules mean cancer patients face a five-week wait before they receive any money.

This applies to those with a terminal diagnosis, because the “fast track” process for people with less than six months to live has been removed.

Under current plans, people with cancer already claiming benefits will have to apply for Universal Credit.

Macmillan Cancer Support chief executive Lynda Thomas said: “The system is failing people with cancer and we urge the Government to fix this before tens of thousands more vulnerable people are put at risk of hardship.”

Call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk