Freeze out fuel poverty
A recent Macmillan survey found that two thirds of cancer patients struggling financially say paying fuel bills is their biggest money worry.
Help us freeze out fuel poverty for cancer patients. Many people don't realise that cancer patients do not automatically qualify for help. You can sign up here to send a letter to your MP telling them how important this issue is to you, or raise awareness of the issue by writing to your local paper.
It helps our campaign to have real stories from people with experience of this issue. If you've been affected by cancer and are struggling to pay your fuel bills, email your story to campaigns@macmillan.org.uk.
Spending more time at home during recovery, and the effects of the treatment, mean that cancer patients use more fuel to stay warm. This leads to higher bills at a time when they may also be coping with reduced incomes.
Macmillan research shows that among cancer patients of working age, seven out of ten suffer a reduced income, losing on average 50%. Nobody with cancer should be left in the cold this winter because they cannot afford to heat their home.
"When you're well you don't think twice about turning off the heating for a couple of hours to save money. When you're ill that's not an option. With a Macmillan Grant I could get on with my treatment without worrying about the cold. It made all the difference and meant I could afford to buy some warmer bedding, a new winter coat and put the rest towards my gas bills." Catherine, 59, Yorkshire
What we want:
Everyone should be able to keep warm and comfortable during treatment without being caused undue stress about how to pay the bills.
Macmillan is campaigning for more help for cancer patients struggling to cope with rising fuel bills.
We are calling for:
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The winter fuel payment is an annual payment of between £125 and £400 made to everyone over 60 to help with fuel bills. We want to see this extended to cancer patients in need, where it could provide immediate help.
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Government and energy companies should provide specific help for people with cancer struggling to pay their bills - such as including them in energy efficiency schemes to insulate their homes and bring costs down.
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Many people are unaware of the help which they might be entitled to. We want the government and energy companies to provide clearer information and increase promotion of the help available.
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We have created a fact sheet giving information on how to manage your fuel bills. Download the Keeping warm without the worry fact sheet here. Or order a copy of Macmillan's Help with the cost of cancer booklet.