In England, young individuals suffering from cancer have to wait an average of seven months before being granted disability benefits to assist with their treatment, as highlighted by research. This has led to demands for immediate qualification for aid upon diagnosis.

The study, conducted by Young Lives, indicates that families dealing with child cancer cases encounter approximately £700 each month in additional expenses related to the treatment.

Although the Equalities Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 classify cancer as a disability, young cancer patients and their families must wait three months before they are eligible for disability benefits, even with a confirmed diagnosis.

Applicants then face an average delay of four months to receive a decision regarding any potential financial assistance.

The initial months after a cancer diagnosis can demand urgent financial outlay, yet patients are ineligible for backdated payments. The system also provides special rule exemptions for individuals with a life expectancy of 12 months or less.

Oliver, a 16-year-old from Solihull, diagnosed with a rare bone cancer last year, had to undergo leg amputation. Despite this, his condition was deemed insufficient for benefit claims.

Oliver’s mother, Kerry, had to wait five months after applying for benefits support, accruing daily travel expenses for hospital visits. Additionally, the family faced increased costs for clothing, electricity for his prosthetic leg, and maintaining warmer temperatures at home to accommodate Oliver’s immunosuppression.

Danielle Roberts from north Wales applied for disability living allowance in January 2024 following her nine-year-old daughter Jasmine’s cancer diagnosis in October 2023. However, financial support was only received in June 2024, eight months after diagnosis, with the family incurring expenses for fuel and extra heating.

Young Lives found that 96% of young cancer patients and their families incur additional travel costs averaging £250 per month post-diagnosis.

The charity is requesting the government to remove the three-month qualifying period and streamline the application process by incorporating medical evidence to expedite eligibility decisions.

The Department for Work and Pensions pledged to offer timely access to financial support, though acknowledging the existing high wait times and the necessity to increase staff to manage the surge in claim volumes.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/02/young-people-cancer-england-face-seven-month-wait-disability-benefits