Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – A cancer charity has teamed up with the Scottish Government to encourage individuals with cancer to explore whether they qualify for disability benefits.
Jen Hardy MBE, the founder of Cancer Card Scotland, and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville are advocating benefits for cancer patients to ensure they receive any financial assistance they may be eligible for.
In Scotland, both the Adult Disability Payment and the Child Disability Payment are available to help with the additional expenses associated with disability, long-term health conditions, or terminal illnesses.
Notably, Social Security Scotland prioritizes disability payment applications for those who are terminally ill, with decisions sometimes made within just 48 hours.
For cancer patients applying under the standard rules, there is a qualifying period before they can become eligible.
Jen, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, created Cancer Card Scotland as an online resource to help cancer patients access available support.
Sharing her experience on seeking benefits following her diagnosis, Jen pointed out that there is a common belief that disability benefits UK are only for those with constant physical impairments, but that’s not accurate.
She emphasized that cancer benefits can significantly impact someone’s ability to perform everyday tasks, affecting them not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. For many, their needs and feelings vary over time.
Jen stated that for instance, she receives a life-extending Herceptin infusion every three weeks, which lasts three to four hours. She indicated that it is incredibly draining, and she is left feeling so exhausted that she can barely move.
She pointed out that in the absence of the Blue Badge and Adult Disability Payment, she wouldn’t be able to manage many aspects of her life. Jen wants those with cancer to understand that seeking financial support is completely acceptable, and it’s perfectly fine to apply for Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment.
Exploring the benefits for you during a difficult time may heavily ease the burden as demonstrated by Jen.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, added “Social Security Scotland can help people apply for these payments either over the phone or face-to-face in a location that suits them.
“We also fund independent advocacy service Voiceability to provide help to disabled people applying for Scottish benefits.”
