If your work is affected, loss of income is likely to be a major financial stress – doubly so if a partner stops or reduces work to care for you.
You may have already confronted other expenses related to cancer, including medications and treatments, the out-of-pocket costs of some services and travel. The progress of your illness may now mean buying or hiring special equipment, paying for household services, modifying your home or running two households if you relocate for palliative care.
A few organisations or schemes can help you with the cost of travelling to see health professionals, including palliative care specialists.
Equipment needed for your care at home can be expensive. There are a number of programs in each state that may help with this cost. See the earlier section on 'Trouble getting around?'.
Check with Centrelink whether you qualify for any benefits or pensions such as a sickness allowance, disability support pension, family allowance or a carer’s allowance. You may also be eligible for a health care card, which can reduce the cost of your medications or a pension travel card, which can reduce the cost of public transport. Call 13 27 17.
Last updated 30 August 2015