If you are employed and unable to work, your employer can pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for a maximum of 28 weeks.If you are still unable to work after this period, you may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit. There are three rates of Incapacity Benefit: a short-term lower rate, a short-term higher rate and a long-term rate.

You can claim the short-term higher rate of benefit from the Benefits Agency if you have paid the correct level of National Insurance contributions. If you are still unable to work after one year, you can claim long-term Incapacity Benefit.

If you are self-employed you are entitled to the same benefits as long as you have been paying the correct National Insurance contributions.

People who are unemployed and unable to work cannot claim Job Seeker’s Allowance, but can apply to see if they qualify for the short-term lower rate of Incapacity Benefit.

People who are not eligible for Incapacity Benefit, because they have not paid the relevant National Insurance contributions, may qualify for Income Support.

If you are ill and unable to work, remember to ask your GP for a medical certificate for the period of your illness. If you are in hospital, ask your doctor or nurse for a certificate to cover the time that you are an inpatient. This will be necessary if you need to claim a benefit. You may need to take a medical test to see if you are eligible to claim.

You may qualify for Disability Living Allowance (if you are under 65) or for Attendance Allowance (if you are over 65). Ask your local Social Security office for claim forms. There is a fast-track claim for people who may not live longer than six months. People who are claiming under this 'special rule' need to get their doctor to complete a form for either benefit. It is impossible to tell exactly how long someone may live and many people with advanced cancer may be entitled to this benefit, so it can be helpful to check with your doctor.

You may also be able to get tax credits from the Inland Revenue, such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. You can get information about these from a social worker, Citizens Advice Bureau, the Department for Work and Pensions or the Tax credits Helpline 0845 300 3900.

The Benefits Agency has two booklets (IB1 and SD1) which outline all these benefits and others you may be entitled to. You can get a copy from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Social Security office, where staff will also be able to advise you about the benefits you can claim. You will usually need to make an appointment. Their addresses and telephone numbers are in the phone book. You can also get information from the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200, the Department for Work and Pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk, or the Macmillan Benefits Helpline.

If you have been assessed as having a need for social services, you may be entitled to get direct payments from your local authority. This means that you are given payments to organise social services yourself, rather than the local social services organising and paying for them for you. You can get information about direct payments from the Department of Health website or from your local social security office.

You may need help in deferring unavoidable bills and charges such as your rent or mortgage, council tax and heating bills. If you are having difficulty, or think that you may have problems meeting monthly mortgage repayments, it is a good idea to contact the manager of the bank or building society that arranged the mortgage, to explain your situation.

Building societies are sometimes prepared to suspend payments for a few months (especially when your case is explained in a report from a social worker). This gives you a chance to sort out your finances. It may be possible to extend the term of the mortgage so there is less to pay each month, or you may be able to make interest only payments, which will reduce the monthly payment. Help with the interest on your mortgage may be available from the Department of Social Security.

You can speak to your local council office about deferring council tax payments, and can contact providers of services such as water, gas, electricity and telephones if you have difficulty in meeting payments for these services. There may also be a neighbourhood Law Centre in your area, which can advise you if you have problems with repayments. For more information on your nearest law centre, contact the Law Centres Federation.

You may also be able to claim grants and benefits from other organisations or charities. Macmillan Cancer Support gives grants to people with cancer and they have a financial advice helpline.

• Download the booklet 'Help With the Cost of Cancer' (PDF document, 990KB) or order a copy from the main Macmillan website.

A book that gives details of all the trusts and organisations that provide financial support is available from bookshops or local libraries:

• A Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need 2006/2007. A. French, G. Lynch and R. Ryland. Directory of Social Change. ISBN 978-1-903991-74-9. Priced: £34.95.

Many trade unions and professional bodies have special benevolent funds that can help with cash grants for members who have financial difficulties. It may be helpful to contact your union or professional association, or speak to the personnel officer at your place of work.