A mother battling breast cancer has been pushed to the brink of financial collapse after being forced to wait eight agonising months for essential disability benefits, despite her devastating diagnosis.
Helen Darbishire, 52, from Cheshire, received the life-altering news that she had breast cancer in October 2023. While grappling with the emotional turmoil and gruelling treatment regimen, she applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to help cover basic living costs during her recovery.
A System That Failed When It Was Needed Most
What should have been a financial safety net quickly became another source of stress as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) system stalled. Despite her urgent circumstances, Helen found herself trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare with no end in sight.
"I've got breast cancer and I've been left with nothing," Helen revealed, her voice heavy with the weight of her situation. "I'm having to rely on food banks just to eat while I go through treatment."
The Human Cost of Administrative Delays
The impact of these delays extends far beyond financial strain. Helen describes the toll it's taken on her mental and physical health during an already vulnerable time:
- Constant stress exacerbating her medical condition
- Humiliation of relying on food banks while undergoing chemotherapy
- Fear of losing her home and stability for her two children
- The cruel irony of being too ill to work but not "sick enough" for timely support
A Growing Crisis in the Benefits System
Helen's story isn't an isolated incident. Recent reports indicate massive backlogs within the PIP assessment system, leaving thousands of seriously ill claimants in financial limbo. The system designed to be a lifeline for those in desperate need is instead becoming another obstacle to survival.
"When you're diagnosed with cancer, your world falls apart," Helen explained. "The last thing you should be worrying about is how you'll pay for food or keep a roof over your head. The system is supposed to help people in my situation, but it's completely broken."
The Emotional Toll of Financial Uncertainty
The combination of cancer treatment and financial precarity has created what Helen describes as a "living nightmare." She spends what little energy she has between chemotherapy sessions fighting for the support she's entitled to, rather than focusing on her recovery.
"I feel like I'm being punished for having cancer," she said, highlighting the devastating psychological impact of her situation. "You already feel like your body has betrayed you, and then the system does too."
A Call for Systemic Change
Helen's case raises serious questions about how the benefits system treats those with life-threatening illnesses. The standard processing times seem to make no allowance for the urgent circumstances of cancer patients, who often face immediate financial crises alongside their health battles.
As Helen continues her fight both against cancer and for her rights, she hopes her story will prompt much-needed reform to prevent others from experiencing similar hardship during their most vulnerable moments.
"Nobody should have to choose between eating properly and getting cancer treatment," Helen stated. "The system needs to recognise that cancer doesn't wait, so why should the help we desperately need?"
