Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and Trafford expand their partnership with Macmillian cancer support.
Macmillan Cancer Support started 111 years ago to provide specialist health care, information, and financial support to people affected by cancer and their relatives.
The Citizens Advice service started 83 years ago and gives people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward — whoever they are, whatever their problem.
Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and Trafford are pleased to be working with Macmillan Cancer Support to expand our partnership and increase welfare benefits, advice, and casework provided to those individuals and families impacted by cancer over the next 33 months.
The growth of our partnership has seen Macmillan invest in more specialist welfare benefits caseworkers, bringing the total to 8 working across Stockport, Rochdale, and Trafford, supporting those individuals and families impacted by cancer.
Since our partnership expanded, welfare services in Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and Trafford have shown extraordinary impact. This can be seen in the substantial increase in the number of clients that we are helping. There was a 61% increase in clients helped over the same 6 months helped 12 months ago.
Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment are the team’s two most significant work areas. They successfully applied for £2.2m of attendance allowance and £2.4m of personal independence payment — helping those with cancer manage their finances.
Being treated for cancer and cancer-related illnesses is an emotional and stressful time for individuals and their families. Working directly in hospitals and case services, this service means those who need support get it when needed.
Steve Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and Trafford says:
“We know that a cancer diagnosis not only impacts the individual, but also their wider family which is why it’s fantastic Macmillan Cancer Support has grown our partnership, ensuring more people have access to confidential, and impartial advice and support.
“We can see the cost of living crisis is disproportionately impacting those people with vulnerabilities and this targeted support will help support those who need dedicated benefits support in a way that suits them.”
Helen’s Story
Helen had a terminal cancer diagnosis and lives with her partner and 2 dependent children. Helen was a carer for her disabled partner and was worried about their finances when she came to us. Our caseworker was able to take some of the stress off Helen by ensuring they were receiving the maximum amount of Universal Credit they were entitled to and applying for a disability benefit under special rules, as she wasn’t expected to live beyond 6 months. We also obtained a blue badge and arranged for a Macmillan grant.
Helen said without us she wouldn’t have known where to turn. Helen said, “my shoulders feel a bit lighter now and I am able to spend a bit less time worrying about money and a bit more time concentrating on my family - thanks.”
Paul Steer, account manager for the health and welfare team says:
“It's really gratifying that we have secured funding to help all residents across SORT who are experiencing cancer during a really difficult time in their lives.”
Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and Trafford can be contacted by phone (0808 278 7803), in person, via WhatsApp, and through web chat. Visit casort.org for more information.
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