Welfare and support
Managing money and financial support: Advice to help you cope with the additional financial pressures a cancer diagnosis can bring.
Coping with medical expenses
Everyone living in Ireland is entitled to a range of health services either free of charge or at reduced cost. If you live in Ireland and are an ordinary resident, you can access in-patient and out-patient services in public hospitals. Public hospitals include HSE hospitals and voluntary hospitals.
Certain visitors to Ireland are also entitled to public health services, such as people covered under EU Regulations.
For more information on Hospital Charges, please visit Hospital Charges Information.
If you wish to attend a private emergency department or see a consultant as a private patient, you will have to pay the appropriate private fee.
Help is available if you’re finding it difficult to pay your medical expenses, especially hospital charges. The HSE can reduce or waive (cancel) a charge if it’s causing you severe financial hardship. You will need to show the HSE officer how difficult it would be for you to pay the charge. To find out more about this, talk to your medical social worker or contact your local health office.
Medical cards are usually given to people on lower levels of income. If your income is above the limit, you may still be able to get a medical card if you have a lot of medical expenses and you would experience financial hardship without one. This is called a discretionary medical card. The Citizen's Information website has information on medical cards and how to apply.
If you have health insurance, some of most of the costs will be covered, depending on your plan and the services you use. It’s best to call your insurer to check what you’re covered for, before starting treatment.
What’s the difference between public and private healthcare?
Tests and treatment are available to all public patients. If you have private insurance, you may be able to have tests or see a specialist more quickly, and stay in a ward with fewer or no other patients, depending on your plan.
Your health insurer has to approve payment for some tests and other costs in advance, which can take a day or two.
There are a number of social welfare payments to help if you are ill. For example, Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension. But you won’t get them automatically - it’s up to you to apply for them. If there is a Medical Social Worker at your hospital, they can advise you about benefits. Your local Citizens Information Centre can also give you information.
You can get help with the cost of medicines under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS). This means that each household will pay no more than €80 each calendar month for prescribed drugs, medicines and medical aids (appliances).
The scheme is not means tested − it is for everyone, no matter what your income.
Tax relief for medical expenses
If you pay medical expenses that are not covered by the State or by private health insurance, including travel and medical equipment, you can claim tax relief on some of those expenses.
How to apply: You can apply online by registering on the Revenue website www.revenue.ie and claim your health expenses through your tax return.
Remember: Any claim must be made within 4 years of the end of the tax year that you had the medical expenses you’re claiming for. Do ask your medical social worker or local Citizens Information Centre for more advice.
Benefits hub
A cancer diagnosis can mean financial uncertainty, as many cancer patients face a loss of income along with increased medical expenses.
You and your family may be entitled to government support such as Illness Benefit, a Medical Card or Carer’s Allowance.
The links below will take you to Citizen's Advice for information on each.
Free legal advice clinic for cancer patients
The Irish Cancer Society partners with Community Law and Mediation to offer a monthly free legal advice clinic to cancer patients and their families who have been refused a social welfare payment or medical card and wish to appeal the decision.
Help with travel expenses
The Irish Cancer Society's Transport Service provides free transport and limited financial grants (Travel2Care) for those in need who are in cancer treatment.
Tax relief on travel expenses
If you regularly need to travel long distances for treatment or other hospital appointments you can claim tax relief on what you spend. All methods of transport are covered, but parking fees, local travel or occasional travel are not allowable. You can also claim tax relief on the cost of transport by ambulance. Contact your local tax office for more details, as individual claims may differ.
Coping with financial pressures
It can be hard to deal with money matters when you're focused on your treatment and may be feeling unwell. If you're worried about money or are finding it hard to manage financially, it can leave you very stressed, especially when you're trying to deal a cancer diagnosis.
If you need help, or just want to talk about your concerns, contact our Support Line on 1800 200 700. Our cancer nurses can advise you on practical supports and benefits, and tell you about services to help you cope with stress such as free counselling.
If you believe you are entitled to a social welfare payment, make contact with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as soon as possible. The Department has a useful website www.mywelfare.ie, where you can learn more and apply for many benefits.
The Citizens Information website has easy-to-follow information on applying for social welfare payments and medical cards.
They might be more willing to help if they know you are under financial pressure due to your cancer diagnosis or treatment. There’s no need to feel embarrassed – it’s very common for people with cancer to have money worries.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) can help if you find yourself in serious financial trouble and need help with budgeting and sorting out your finances. MABS can look at your situation, work out your budget, help you to deal with your debts and manage your payments. The service is free and confidential. Call the MABS Helpline 0761 07 2000 for information.
It can be helpful to have someone to act for you at this difficult time. An advocate is someone who can speak on your behalf, for example, a Citizens Information representative or a social worker based in a hospital or in the community. They can help you to access and communicate with services and institutions.
You may have to budget. For example, to cut back on food and clothes shopping or look for cheaper alternatives. You might also consider cutting back on energy costs, such as by turning off the heat for a few hours, and wearing more clothes. You may have to cut down on extras like holidays and leisure activities. If you need help, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) can look at your situation, work out your budget, help you to deal with your debts and manage your payments. The service is free and confidential.
If you’re finding it hard to pay back loans or your mortgage, let the lender know. It may be possible to reduce monthly payments or have a short break from mortgage payments. Seek advice from MABS on your options before speaking to your lender.
Don’t feel embarrassed to accept help from family and friends, neighbours and work colleagues. This may include help with transport to and from hospital, with childcare, grocery shopping, cooking, housework, or providing accommodation if you need to travel a long distance for your treatment. Accepting support means your family and friends can feel useful at a difficult time and can make things easier on you financially.
Most people diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment need to make adjustments to their new situation. These can include using some or all of your savings (if you have any), borrowing from friends, family and/or employers, or from banks or credit unions. But remember that it can be hard to repay loans. Avoid the services of moneylenders and payday loan companies, as their interest rates are extremely high and you will pay back a huge amount of interest on top of the amount you borrow.
People often struggle on the money they are given through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. This includes the Illness Benefit, Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.
If you are self-employed, it can be very difficult to qualify for any State support, especially if you cannot work. More than likely you will apply to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for emergency funding or Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
It might feel strange or uncomfortable to ask for help from a charity. It’s worth remembering, though, that lots of people with cancer have money worries, and the charities are there to help you. Charities helping people with cancer and their families usually help with small crisis situations, rather than larger ongoing financial problems.
Life and travel insurance
Travel insurance
Travel insurance covers you financially for anything that may go wrong while you are away. This includes medical expenses if you need medical care when you are away or if you need to be flown home because you are ill.
Getting travel insurance if you have or have had cancer may not be easy. Insurance companies may consider that you are more likely to make a claim for medical expenses than people without an illness.
Read more about travel insurance here
Life insurance
Life insurance means that a sum of money will be paid on your death. Mortgages or loans can also be paid off by life insurance policies.
Useful contacts
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection / Tel: 0818 662 244
- HSE Live / Tel: 1800 700 700
- Your local health office
- A hospital-based medical social worker. If there is no medical social worker in your hospital, speak to your cancer nurse.
- Citizens' Information / Tel: 0761 074 000
- Cliona’s Foundation
Practical financial advice for parents coping with a child with a life limiting illness - Money Advice and Budgeting Services
- HSE Medical Card
- Keeping Well and Warm
- Keeping Well and Warm brochure
- Self Employed Supports
- Keeping your Home
- Society of St. Vincent De Paul
- Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed
- Community Law and Mediation
- Threshold
