ESA for someone with cancer?

retepetsir

Hi everyone,

I'm getting rather confused with all the benefits that are available (having never claimed any), and wanted to ask a couple of questions before phoning an adviser.

My father was diagnosed with throat cancer around 6 months ago, and has just completed treatment. However due to the side effects and the cancer itself it'll take him 6 months or more to recover. He is very weak and unable to eat much, etc, let alone work.

My mother has been looking after him (and therefore has also not been working) but unfortunately my mother has also just been diagnosed with cancer and will soon require an operation plus possibly further treatment! So currently my sister and I are helping mum but will possibly very soon need to care for them both .

Now I just have a couple of questions about ESA and maybe DLA.

My dad has been receiving full pay from his employer which I believe drops down to half next month as it'll be 28 weeks since going off work sick.

Would he then be able to claim ESA or would this not apply? They're going to struggle financially on half pay and especially with my mum not working too. He's needed the heating on constantly for 6 weeks so far due to being so frail and having lost so much weight, so winter is going to make that even worse.

I've heard mixed advice regarding their entitlement to ESA and other benefits. The cost for travelling to hospital for treatment every day over the past 3 months has been substantial, so dropping to half pay will be hard.

Any idea if they would be entitled to ESA as a couple? They will both continue to be off of work for many months to come although I've heard it requires an interview and medical? My dad certainly isn't well enough to speak, let alone go for an interview.

Many thanks

skibadee

I think....Though am not sure ....Cancer paitents are entitled to ESA...and maybe other benefits too...I strongly advice you to contact Macmillan Who will give you all the information on what your parents are entitled to.
They are both entitled to free prescriptions anyway as cancer paitents are now exempt from paying...there is a form to complete which your doctor also has to sign....I had no problem with this...very straight forward.
It may also be worth contacting CAB......or if the hospital your parents recieve treatment at has a Cancer Information Centre they will provide you with contact details for people/departments etc., that can help you.
Please do contact Macmillan straight away though.....as so many cancer paitents do not recieve benefits they are entitled to.....I know..I too was a cancer paitent...now in remission.

jellybaby1969

Yes your father can claim ESA and he should do so the day after his Statutory Sick Pay ends. He can claim for your Mother by making an Income related claim. The income related element will take into account any savings over 5500 and any income such as company sick pay and money your mother has coming in. Not knowing the full circumstances its difficult to judge... However if your father satisfies the contributions element he will definitley receive the single persons allowance of 65.45 even if he has savings or other money coming in (with the exception of private pension of which the first 85.00 per week is disregarded and anything above is taken into account -50% ie a pernsion payable at 125.00 per week would have 105.00 disregarded and 20.00 taken into account)

retepetsir

Many thanks for your help. I will talk to my mother tomorrow and get the information ready for applying for ESA