Cancer and Money – Financial Support and Advice

23 July 2026 — lia-rogers

Managing finances is stressful at the best of times, but when you’re dealing with cancer, things can get complicated. There are a wealth of organisations out there ready to help lighten the load at a difficult time. From respite grants to 24 hour helplines, here we highlight some of the support available.

Macmillan Money Advice

Welfare benefits service providing support to anyone living with cancer. It offers free information and advice on benefits you may be entitled to. It also advises on debt, employment, housing, grants and signposting to local services. Support is by phone, online chat, online community group and email. The Macmillan money advisor service also supports people living with cancer in terms of their energy bills, whether gas, electricity or water. It provides information and advice on access to schemes, charity grants and help dealing with utility companies. Online tools and resources are also available, along with effective ways to keep warm in winter.

Macmillan Work and Cancer

Online advice and information on work and cancer for people who are employed or self-employed. Understand how cancer and treatments can affect your work life and your rights. This includes guidance on how to talk to employers, and help to negotiate adjustments in the workplace.

Cancer Relief UK 

Charity fund helping people experiencing financial hardship whilst living with a life-limiting condition. It raises money through donations and appeals to provide financial help for treatments, equipment, bills, travel costs, family treats and last wishes.

Cost of Cancer

Charity for people living with cancer in England and Wales who are experiencing financial hardship. It gives grants to individuals.

Something to Look Forward To

Charity offering free gifts and experiences to people financially affected by cancer. This includes restaurant meals, hotel/cottage stays, spa breaks, tickets to attractions, and clothes, jewellery, beauty bundles and artwork. It also offers annual gym memberships at a PureGym anywhere in the UK. 

The Isabel Baker Foundation

Charity for children and young people living with life limiting conditions and their loved ones and carers, and also bereaved parents. It offers financial support including food vouchers, funding for custom-made dry suits for children, and help for young people to access complementary therapy. They also provide free stays for families at their holiday caravan.

Turn2Us

National charity for people and communities in financial difficulty. It offers welfare benefits advice, grants, grant search engines, local programmes for communities experiencing financial hardship and a benefits calculator that will tell you which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to, including tax credits. 

Carers First 

Practical and emotional support for unpaid carers. It offers guidance on employment issues, accessing respite, navigating conversations with medical and social care professionals. It also advises on benefits and finances, training, social activities and finding support groups.

The Tor-Rox Foundation

Charity providing access to physical activity whilst living with a cancer diagnosis. The Tor-Rox Foundation provides financial grants to access specialist exercise programmes, designed to improve mental and physical fitness and overall wellbeing. Grants are used at independent fitness facilities that specialise in small group PT, where individuals will have 1 to 1 support and guidance.

Home-Start UK

National charity supporting families and young children through challenging times. Their trained volunteers offer tailored support which can be assisting in your home for about two hours a week. They can signpost to additional support. There are also face-to-face support groups for parents across the UK. 

Medical Travel Compared

Comparison website that specialises helping those with pre-existing medical conditions, including cancer to find the best deals on travel insurance. Working with over 30 specialist travel insurance providers, it allows customers to compare quotes from various providers at any time. Service is free to use, once a customer has purchased a travel insurance policy, the provider will pay Medical Travel Compared a commission. You can read our guest blog with Medical Travel Compared here. 

For more (and there is so much more), enter your postcode or relevant keywords into the Cancer Care Map homepage.