Cold payments for cancer patients due

Published Monday, 23 January 2012

Winter fuel payments of £100 are being sent to cancer patients in Northern Ireland.

Health Minister Edwin Poots said the money should be received by the end of February.

Those who qualify for the benefit include patients who have received surgery for cancer, or radiotherapy, chemotherapy or palliative care, between 13 June and 18 December, 2011.

Also eligible are people for whom a decision to provide cancer treatment was made during the week of 12 to 18 December.

Mr Poots said forms will be sent out by post, starting this week.

The DUP minister explained: "Starting from this week, GPs will post a form out to those eligible for the £100 payment.

"It will be a straightforward form which patients will simply need to sign and return to the address stated. They will then receive a cheque in the post.

"This £100 payment will greatly benefit those being treated for cancer and will help to make the colder months more comfortable."

He added that, as the scheme has only just been announced, patients may need to give GPs time to check their registers and see if they are eligible.

A free helpline number has also been set up on 028 9032 1313.

Comments

3 Comments

H in belfast wrote (118 days ago):

Heard the same thing myself at the start of Dec,Back tracking MP's said the payment would be there at the very latest start of Feb...What a joke! They did also say ESA & JSA would get £75 cold weather payment, As usual not another word. Our goverment what a crafty bunch.

Billy in Belfast wrote (121 days ago):

Was this announcement not made a load of weeks ago by the First and Deputy First Ministers? And was this payment not meant to be made to these people at the end of January? So U.T.V. why is this making news or more importantly is this incompetent Minister attempting to escape the public’s attention over the shambolic way he has handled this outbreak of infectious units and the alleged independent review and not forgetting the scathing cuts and closures to our Health Service throughout the Province. As reported in the Media we Northern Ireland face fines in the region of seven million pounds from Europe for an inexcusable delays in an environmental issue with Strangford Lough. Seriously how much more are we expected to take from these Farmers, Lorry Drivers, Estate Agents and so-called Freedom Fighters also known as Terrorists playing Politicians.

nora gorman in belfast wrote (121 days ago):

I have breast cancer ad going through chemo ad radion