A charity has criticised the “confusing and complex” benefits system after it was revealed that £8million goes unclaimed by cancer patients every year.
Figures from Macmillan Cancer Support showed 32% of Scots with terminal cancer had not claimed either the disability living allowance or attendance allowance.
The money is to help cancer patients meet the extra costs incurred by the disease.
The take-up has improved since 2004 when an estimated £15million went unclaim-ed every year.
But Macmillan believes the figures are the tip of the iceberg as they do not include cancer patients without a terminal diagnosis.
The charity said that the low take-up was down to people not knowing that they were eligible for the money, a “long and confusing” claims process, and the perceived stigma of collecting benefits.
It has called for all cancer patients to have access to financial information when the disease is diagnosed and as their condition worsens.
Allan Cowie, the general manager of Macmillan for Scotland, said: “The benefits system is confusing and complex and for someone who is unwell can seem impossible to navigate.
“Money worries are a huge source of stress to people, impacting on their lives and their health. The last thing people should be worrying about towards the end of their lives is money.”
Macmillan has introduced a number of measures, including an interactive guide, to give financial advice to people affected by cancer. Its Macmillan Tayside Welfare Benefits Project, launched last year, is expected to help patients access millions in unclaimed benefits in Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross.
The charity is also working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in the Highlands and with CAB and the Pension Service in Aberdeen, Elgin, Peterhead, Shetland and Orkney. Last year, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon pledged to invest £500,000 to support Macmillan’s network of benefits advice services.
Debbie Thomson, chief executive of Clan (Cancer Link Aberdeen and North), said: “Money pressures can put a huge additional strain on people affected by cancer.
“We would therefore encourage anyone in that situation to seek advice and familiarise themselves with all the financial assistance available to them in order to lessen the strain they will undoubtedly already be under.
“Whilst the benefit system can be somewhat complicated, there is help out there and people should make sure they have access to all the information required to make informed choices on the potential support available.”
Mary Scanlon, Conservative health spokeswoman, said: “There is no doubt that more can be done to raise awareness of disability and other benefits. This has been going on for years and it has been debated in Parliament.
“I think Macmillan has done a wonderful job in raising awareness with cancer patients about the benefits that are available.”
The Highlands and Islands MSP added: “I think it is incumbent on Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, Macmillan, Marie Curie and the NHS to ensure that everyone receiving a diagnosis of cancer is fully aware of the benefits.
“For most people, on discovering they have cancer, they are focusing on making a full recovery, not worrying about finances.
“Coping with cancer is quite enough without having financial worries.”
Anne Begg, Aberdeen South Labour MP, said two things were wrong with the system – patients were often unaware that benefits were available, but they were also put off by a confusing application process. She said the Department of Work and Pensions is now fast-tracking applications from terminally ill patients and measures were being put in place to make it easier but they were irrelevant if people did not know benefits were available in the first place.
Figures for the whole of the UK showed that approximately £90.8million of benefits went unclaimed in the past year. Macmillan’s new interactive guide Benefits Made Clear will be available on the charity’s website at www.macmillan.org.uk/financialsupport
For more information on the benefits available call 0808 808 0000 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk