Cash advisor raises £1million for cancer sufferers

Home > News and Events > News - release archive > 2008 > March

Cancer sufferers in Renfrewshire are £1million better off thanks to a scheme to make sure that they get the benefits which they are entitled to.

Shona Stevens, Renfrewshire Council's cancer and palliative care income advisor, was appointed in August 2006. Since then, she has helped over 400 cancer sufferers and their carers make the most of the benefits due to them, to the tune of £1,014,861.

Money worries are an extra burden for people who get cancer, with 90% of them suffering a fall in income and an increase in living expenses as a direct result of their illness. Many people don't know about the financial support they can claim. It's estimated that 64% of terminally ill Scots miss out on £15million worth of benefits that are rightfully theirs.

The £15million doesn't include the money cancer sufferers who aren't terminally ill have failed to claim, or the benefits missed by carers who are often forced to give up their own jobs to look after a friend or relative with the disease.

Shona said: "This kind of dedicated project is perfect because it means medical staff can point patients to the right people straight away. We then contact the patient and run through a complete benefits and financial check with them to make the most of their income and deal with any money advice issues."

"People with cancer often suffer a significant drop in income and the last thing they need is having to face new debt problems because their financial circumstances have changed. We take that pressure off them, and allow them to concentrate on coping with their illness and hopefully getting better."

Councillor Allan Noon, Renfrewshire Council's finance spokesperson, said: "Our income advisor is making a real difference to hundreds of lives by making sure cancer sufferers aren't overwhelmed by debts at the same time as they are fighting this deadly disease."

Around 800 Renfrewshire people are diagnosed with cancer each year.

The cancer and palliative care income advisor plays a major role in Renfrewshire's financial inclusion strategy. The post is paid for through the Scottish Government's Financial Inclusion Fund.

Press release: Thursday 13 March 2008