The financial impact of having cancer can be almost as stressful as the illness itself, bringing numerous extra costs.   Macmillan Cancer Support aims to help people in a practical way, by giving grants to help with increased everyday costs.  In 2007, Macmillan gave £8,685,370 in grants to 23,888 people in the UK affected by cancer. This included grants totalling £123,453 to help 354 people in Devon. Macmillan grants are one-off payments to cover a wide range of practical needs such as increased heating bills, travel to and from hospital, stair lifts, or new clothes following dramatic weight loss.   Applications are made through a health or social care professional such as a social worker, district nurse or Macmillan nurse.  They are assessed according to the person's individual needs and financial circumstances. Jeff Faulkner, Macmillan's director of Central and South West England and Wales, says: 'Many people with cancer are eligible for state benefits and our benefits advisers can help people to access them.   'But benefits take time to process and some financial problems are more immediate. 'Macmillan grants are designed to assist with urgent needs or those that fall outside the benefits system, helping people when they most need our support.'   Each application is handled on the day it is received and, if it is approved, payment is generally sent out within three working days. If you, or someone close to you, are in financial difficulties because of cancer, you can contact the Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020. Macmillan is able to give grants thanks to the generosity of its supporters and their invaluable fundraising efforts.