Financial support

Following a childhood cancer diagnosis, families often experience added financial strain. This can be for a number of reasons, such as: 

• Travel to hospital appointments 
• Cost of having to live away from home 
• Impact on the ability of a parent or caregiver to work 
• Increased need of heating the home 

Ways we can support 

For families affected by neuroblastoma, we can help ease financial worries through the provision of a grant and guidance on what you may be able to claim from other sources through our connections with other support charities.

Other grant-providing charities

There are several organisations in the UK who offer financial support through both grants and general advice which includes (but is not limited to) those below. 

We aim to keep these details as up-to-date as possible, but please be aware that the organisations and services listed below may change at any time.

• The Isabel Baker Foundation- Food vouchers if suffering financial hardship whilst a child is receiving treatment for cancer  
• The Cindy Apple Yard Foundation- Grants up to £300 where a child is in a specialist hospital (inpatient) a long way from home, for temporary accommodation, travelling to and from hospital and taking time off work  
• Evie’s Gift- 2 nights' accommodation locally and other costs associated with being near a child in hospital 
• Charley Paige Trust- Grants for different things including specialist medical, educational and recreational equipment and services and travel, parking and accommodation costs when a child is away from home  
• Macmillan- Small, one-off means-tested payments to help with the extra costs of living with cancer 
• Cost of Cancer- Grants to help with household bills 
• The Henry Allen Trust- Provides financial grants to support families including transport and accommodation for hospital stays 
• The Hospital Saturday Fund- Provides varied financial support including for specialised mobility equipment, therapeutic treatment and equipment, and home adaptations 
• Family Fund- Provides financial support for families on low income raising a child or young person with a long-term disability, disabling condition or life-limiting illness

Cost of living support 

We know family finances are impacted when a child is diagnosed with neuroblastoma - costs increase and income can decrease. We also know that the cost-of-living crisis is compounding financial and other challenges for families and it’s in this context that we share the information and tips below, to help save money and potentially increase income. For further support contact the Family Support team via support@solvingkidscancer.org.uk or through the form below – we are here for all families. Find more information and tips on how to save and manage money below.

Increasing income 

• Make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to - speak to the Macmillan welfare and benefits line on 0808 808 00 00 
• Search for grants to help with the cost of cancer using Young Lives Vs Cancer's Turn2us Grants Search tool 
• If you are in receipt of benefits (Disability Living Allowance, Universal Credit or Tax Credits) you may be eligible for a cost-of-living payment. You can check here  
• Check if you can claim tax relief for job expenses working from home 
• Do a stocktake and sell anything you don’t need 

Reducing outgoings

• Put together a budget - know what’s coming in and going out, to help highlight where you can make savings 
• Use Martin’s Money Mantra and free wallet-sized card. It says, if you’re skint, ask yourself, do I need it? Can I afford it? Have I checked prices elsewhere? If you’re not skint, it says, ask yourself, will I use it? Is it worth it? Have I checked prices elsewhere? If any of the answers are NO, don’t buy it  
• Pay less for petrol by finding the cheapest petrol near you 
• Search for online offers and coupons before spending and use platforms like TopCashback to get money back on your purchases 
• See if a prescription prepayment certificate would save you money 
• Don’t overfill your kettle, or ‘boil and flask’ to save on electricity 
• Turn your appliances off standby mode 

Travelling and parking 

• Ask your treating hospital if there is any free or discounted parking 
• Find out if you are eligible for a Blue Badge to help with parking and parking costs  

Food  

• Take the ‘Downshift Challenge’ and drop down a brand level for groceries 
• Plan meals for the week ahead to save money and reduce waste. Go to the shops with a clear list of what you need and try not to be tempted by special offers or items you don't really need 
• Batch cook and portion and freeze meals in advance by scaling up quantities. This means you will have something ready when you need it and cooking in larger quantities can often work out cheaper. Ask family and friends to help with cooking meals too! 
• Ask your hospital social worker if you are eligible for meal vouchers at your treating centre when your child is an inpatient 
• Use Apps like Too Good To Go for discounted food which would otherwise go to waste  
• Consider the microwave over the oven to save money 
• Check your local council's website for information on local foodbanks, community supermarket and other schemes 

Other  

• Speak to your local council's Community Engagement team for support and advice 
• Look into Community groups and local facilities offering warm spaces and free or low-cost activities 
• Let your energy and water providers know your situation (e.g. increased consumption or decreased income). Energy providers have vulnerability registers called a “Priority Services Register” that can provide extra protections and adaptions for cancer patients. Some water providers also provide “Social Tariffs” that aim to reduce monthly bills for people on low-incomes or who have health conditions that require them to use more water

Download our full cost of living support resource