A cancer diagnosis can be extremely stressful and financial issues can add additional strain.
We help people affected by cancer who are experiencing financial hardship with access to financial counselling and emergency financial assistance payments.
Financial counselling
Our financial counsellors provide practical advice to help people managing their personal budget and finances. They work with community organisations that assist people in financial difficulty, especially those on low incomes.
They will act as a negotiator and advocate for people who are at financial risk and provide a free service to their clients (they are not allowed to charge fees or commissions).
Our financial counsellors can help you with:
- Help managing your budget and debts
- Assistance negotiating with creditors
- Applying to change mortgage payments while you are unable to work
- Information about consumer rights.
Financial counselling is offered over the phone or face-to-face in limited locations.
Emergency financial assistance
Cancer Council NSW provides emergency financial assistance to people affected by cancer experiencing acute financial disadvantage.
Assistance is provided in the form of bill payments for a range of eligible household expenses that don’t stop during treatment or in the form of emergency food and fuel vouchers.
Assistance available is limited to $350.
Patients are assessed by Oncology and other health professionals based in hospitals and cancer treatment centres across NSW. Cancer Council NSW collaborates with health professionals across NSW to make sure that assistance is delivered to people who have no other financial options.
Home help payment assistance
Cancer Council NSW provides a financial assistance service dedicated to assisting people affected by cancer experiencing financial disadvantage with household cleaning and gardening maintenance. Assistance is provided in the form of bill payments directly to cleaning or gardening businesses holding an Australian Business Number (ABN) only.
Assistance is limited to $350.
Accessing these services
To find out more about these services, please call:
- Our Information and Support line: 13 11 20 (Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm)
- Our Translator service: 13 14 50
You can also speak to a health professional at your treatment centre and they can refer you.
Online Resources
Legal and financial issues booklets and fact sheets: Downloadable pdfs with information around common legal, financial and workplace issues for people affected by cancer