CANCER patients in Plymouth are losing out on almost £500,000 of unclaimed benefits, according to a new report.

Leading charity Macmillan Cancer Support has found 48 per cent of terminally ill cancer patients in the South West are dying without receiving benefits to which they are automatically entitled – Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA).

The sum of unclaimed money across the whole of Devon is over £2.5 million and £90.8 million across the UK.

Low take-up is due to people not knowing they are eligible, the perceived stigma of claiming state benefits and the long and confusing claiming process, the charity has said.

Denise Martin, Macmillan benefits adviser in Plymouth, said: "So many people I help say they didn't know what they were doing before they met me, when I was able to help them through the maze of benefits.

"Access to the right information is so important because it gives people with cancer and their families choices and options."

She has helped gain about £1.5million in claims each year for people with cancer since her service started in 2006, through a variety of different benefits.

Ciarán Devane, Macmillan Cancer Support chief executive, said: "It's tragic that cancer patients are struggling to make ends meet when there's money available.

"Benefits can make a real difference to people who often have to deal with money worries on top of having cancer. Macmillan can help people find their way through the notoriously complicated benefits system so we urge people to go online or speak to a benefits adviser."

Macmillan has launched an online program called Benefits made clear.

The interactive guide, which is the first provided by a charity, can be found at www.macmillan.org.uk/benefitsmadeclear. Macmillan also provides financial information via a national helpline, local benefits advisers and a range of publications.