When a child is diagnosed with cancer, most aspects of a family’s lifestyle are impacted in some way, which can cause a lot of unexpected extra expenses. This can be disruptive when your financial circumstances within the household have changed.  

Here are some helpful tips we’ve gathered from conversations with families we’ve supported. We hope these suggestions can offer you some support and guidance through this difficult time.

Redkite offers financial support services for families facing childhood cancer. You can find out more about our services by clicking here.

Income support you may be eligible for: 

Services Australia

• Ask to speak to your social worker for guidance when accessing Centrelink 
• Carers Payment and/or Carers Allowance 
• Carers Adjustment Payment (available for children 7 years and under) 
• Family Tax Benefits A & B/Parenting Payment 
• Energy and rent supplement 
• Centrepay – voluntary bill paying service free for Centrelink customers 
• Applying for temporary financial hardship subsidy for additional assistance with childcare fees 
• Jobseeker Payment 
• Bereavement Payment 
• Ask for a temporary Medicare or Health Care Card while waiting for your application to be processed. [1] 

Visit the Services Australia website

Dealing with debt and payment arrangements

Managing Payments

Contact the person you owe money to (credit provider) and explain your situation if you feel comfortable to do so. Sometimes by letting them know a family member has cancer, may provide compassionate understanding. You can discuss: 

• Stop making payments for an agreed period of time 
• Reduce payments 
• Pay by instalments 
• Requesting to be excused or ‘waived’ from paying the debt altogether 
• Only agree on what you can realistically afford 
• Not meeting agreed payments with creditors, this could affect your credit rating 
• Be aware of businesses advertising debt agreement to avoid bankruptcy. Seek professional financial counsellor before entering into a debt agreement 

Hardship Variations 

• A hardship variation is a formal process where you ask your credit provider to change the terms of your loan contract 
• You have the legal right to ask for a hardship variation if you meet the requirements 
• Hardship variations are for people who can reasonably repay their debt. 
• A credit provider is required by law to respond to your request in writing within 21 days and provide reasons if it is refused 
• If you feel the reasons are unfair, you can complain to the credit provider 
• If your complaint is not adequately resolved, you can contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) on 1800 931 678

Refinancing 

• Sometimes discussions about refinancing and replacing your current loan with a new one or extending your loan’s duration 
• Exercise caution against predatory lending practices that might not be trustworthy 
• Before refinancing consider independent guidance  from a financial planner or financial counsellor 

Selling assets 

• Selling assets is another way to repay any debts 
• Before selling assess how much you would need to pay back on the loan 
• Review any fees for repaying the loan early 
• Assess the value of your asset before selling 
• Seek financial guidance from a professional financial counsellor 

Accessing Superannuation early 

• Accessing Superannuation early may be possible in some instances to pay off you debts. 
• Check your insurance entitlements 
• Many funds have insurance attached to superannuation accounts 
• If you withdraw your superannuation, you may not be able to meet your premiums and could lose your insurance. [1] 

Additional Practical Support and Financial Support Services 

Salvation Army

• Salvation Army can offer a no interest loan to people who need health care items for medical equipment.  
• Financial counselling 
• Financial-skill-building program, ‘You’re the Boss’ 
• Financial coaching 

Visit the Salvation Army website

National Debt Helpline

• Free financial counselling 
• Debt solutions – Living expenses 
• Understanding your financial rights 

Call 1800 007 007 or visit the National Debt Helpline’s website

Carers Gateway

• Peer groups, counselling, online skill courses 
• Services or equipment to help with your education – tutoring, educational supplies or training courses 
• Planned respite 
• Cooking and cleaning services 
• Shopping assistance 
• Transportation 

Call 1800 422 737 or visit the Carers Gateway website

Kids with Cancer Foundation (0-12 years old)

• Speak to your hospital social worker about financial assistance from Kids with Cancer Foundation 
• Financial assistance you may be eligible for: household utility bills, rent, mortgage, care rego/insurance, tolls, phone/internet, childcare and school fees, school uniform and equipment, contribute toward funerals and feeding apparatus. 

Visit the Kids with Cancer Foundation website

Challenge

• Challenge is based in Victoria however can offer financial assistance Australia wide for children and families living with cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder. They also offer different programs and services for Victoria based families.  
• They can help financially with: 6hrs of free house cleaning, date night program, relaxing retreats 

Call 03 9329 8474 or visit the Challenge website

Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (PATS)

• This is open to anyone in each state or territory who lives in a rural or remote community to allow access to necessary and approved medical specialist service that are not locally available. 
• The rules are different between each state and territory. You may be eligible for a subsidy towards travel and accommodation. 
• You and your doctor or specialist will need to fill out a form before travelling to another hospital. If this is not possible due to an emergency speak to a social worker or your treatment specialist. 

Visit the Health Direct website

Other tips 

• Check with social workers in the hospital for discounted parking fees
• Speak to your children’s school about fees. Put these on a payment plan or postpone bill due date 
• Create a budget
• Talk to your hospital social worker about financial hardship if you are having trouble with local transport or buying food.  
• Information and rights on tenancy/evictions: Vic: (Tenants VIC), WA (Legal Aid WA), SA (SA Housing Authority), NSW (Tenants Union of NSW), QLD (Tenants QLD), NT (NT Consumer Affairs) and TAS (Tenants Union of TAS)