cancer diagnoised wha can she claim ?

healy

wobin wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your aunt.

My mum was diagnosed with lung cancer in Oct 2008, she was employed at the time so went onto sick leave and received her sick pay allowance. When this ran out she claimed ESA (Employment and Support Allowance). She is now medically retired as of Dec 2009 and has her occupational pension as well as ESA and DLA.

My mum also claimed DLA she was awarded the higher rate care component and higher rate mobility component. As a result she also gets a free bus pass that she can have someone accompany her on the bus for free too. She also gets her road tax for free and a blue badge for parking.

It would be in your Aunt's best interests to claim for the DLA - the Dr needs to write/sign something to help them award it so if the "special circumstances" apply to your aunt then she will receive the highest rate of both components. however there are 3 rates at which they are paid so she should qualify for some sort of payment.

I am not sure if your Aunt will be able to claim both ESA and Carer's Allowance, I think it would be best to speak with the Job centre about that.

Your aunt should have been assigned a MacMillan;s nurse and they are generally really helpful with this kind of info especially helping filling in the forms - actually my mums nurse put her in contact with the St Vincent's Hospice and a lady there helped my mum complete the forms. It can be a nightmare to complete all the forms but the extra money is very helpful.

XXXXX

Under the "special rules" higher rate care of DLA is paid automatically if the claimant is not expected to live more than 6 months. The mobility componant would need to be applied for in the normal way and is not automatic.