Benefits for mouth cancer?

shellsuit

Hi guys, just wondering if anyone can help me.

OH's stepmum was diagnosed last week with mouth cancer.

She has to be fitted with a tube on Thursday and will be having an op on Monday.

The cancer is advanced and we won't know yet if she will need anymore treatment, or if she will be left disfigured and will need more ops.

She was working in a nursing home and had been there for a number of years.

Obviously she hasn't been able to work, so at the moment she is getting SSP.

OH's Dad had been living off an inheritance so has no income.

They own their own home which was theirs outright, but OH's stepmum took a remortgage a few years ago to do the house up, that is interest only.

Does anyone have any advice on what she may be able to claim please, as she was the only one with an income, and her wages paid for the mortgage, CT, shopping and bills etc.

If there is anymore info needed, please ask x

Indie_Kid

Apologies; but is it terminal? She can get ESA once SSP runs out.

shellsuit

sh1305 wrote: »

Apologies; but is it terminal? She can get ESA once SSP runs out.

We're not sure at the moment.

We know it's advanced, but won't know exactly how advanced it is until they operate on Monday.

Oldernotwiser

Unfortunately she won't get any help with the mortgage as it wasn't taken out to buy the property.

shellsuit

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Unfortunately she won't get any help with the mortgage as it wasn't taken out to buy the property.

What about CT benefit?

Any other benefits such as DLA/mobility/blue badge etc?

Could OH's Dad claim carer's allowance?

She is worried as I say, she was the only one with an income, and the way things are going, OH's Dad won't be able to look for work as he will be looking after her at home.

Indie_Kid

Carers allowance can only be claimed if the person they're caring for receives mid or high rate DLA or either AA rate.

Mobility (low or high) can only be claimed if there are mobility needs - unable to walk, needing supervision outside, etc.

Oldernotwiser

She should be claiming ESA when her SSP finishes and can also claim CTB.

SuziQ

If her care needs are enough then surely she can apply for DLA? that would allow her OH to claim carers. Is his inheritance large? If below the applicable amount then he may be able to claim whilst she no longer works? I found Macmillan a great source of info and support last year when I was diagnosed with cancer.

shellsuit

SuziQ wrote: »

If her care needs are enough then surely she can apply for DLA? that would allow her OH to claim carers. Is his inheritance large? If below the applicable amount then he may be able to claim whilst she no longer works? I found Macmillan a great source of info and support last year when I was diagnosed with cancer.

There is nothing left of the inheritance now ~ hasn't been for a year or so.

Sorry to hear about you being poorly too ~ I will pass all this info onto them, thanks

Indie_Kid

She can claim free prescriptions now - this means all medication (not just for cancer or the effects of) are now free for her.

shellsuit

sh1305 wrote: »

She can claim free prescriptions now - this means all medication (not just for cancer or the effects of) are now free for her.

Thanks for that, that will be a big help for her, I'll pass that info on x