CANCER!!! Benefits available

The_Big_Yin_4

My mother found out earlier this month she has colon cancer and is going to have to have an operation at some point soon to remove the growth. She seems to be coping well with the cancer as the prognosis is good however she worries about money since my dad left she has struggled to make ends meet as he was very well paid and she has run up a few debts hidding them from us luckily we found out before things got out of hand
Her main worry now is that she is on a low income anyway and when she is recupperating she will be on SSP is there any help out their for her I have been told she can possibly get a council tax rebate Any help would be greatly appreciated

Edinburghlass_2

There is a lot of help out there for her, its just finding the person that can help her find out about it. There should be someone attached to the Oncology Unit at the hospital that can help you both find out what is available to her.

Good luck to your Mum, she is a lucky lady to have you looking out for her

kaaloo

Hi The Big Yin

Ive just finished working for a children's cancer charity and it really opened my eyes up to things.

Anyway, I cant give you any specifics as I was specialising in children cancers but any cancer charity (cancer research etc ) will be able to give excellent advice. There are also helplines that you can call and they have experienced staff who know exactly how to guide you - they deal with this stuff daily. Also, there are networks and help groups who have trained staff etc and there is bound to be one near you. All these will be able to give advice on grants as well - thats what they are there for. Try google search.

Hope things go well with your mother.

real1314

Disability Living Allowance - contact your local jobcentre or check https://www.dwp.gov.uk for phone numbers, also depending on level of income, Income Support, Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit if she rents her home.

twink

you could get in touch with www.macmillan.org.uk and see what help and advice they can give

kiwigirl

Hi

Sorry to hear about your mum. My mum was diagnosed with BC about 11 months ago and she's just finished her treatment and sounds like she's beaten it but still suffering with side effects of some of treatment.

We are currently trying to find out if mum is allowed any benefits, she's been told to have a word with the DWP and as I have been caring for her since she was diagnosed I might be eligible to claim carer's allowance too, as she needs a bit of help driving to hospitals, things around the house etc - mum has been unable to drive since chemo due to side effects.

Also suggest she gets in touch with her local hospice, ours have been brilliant with mum and she's had more support from there than the hospital and Dr's - she gets treated so brilliantly by them and is a break for her (and me) too. They may also be able to advice her on different things, treatments, if things are ok, can help with local SS depts too - we can't thank our local hospice enough to help her out.

Good luck to you both and remainder of family.

KG