Father Has Terminal Cancer

afc80

I would be grateful for some advice in relation to my dad.

He is about to go into Roxburghe House on a permanent basis. This is a specialist palliative care unit. It is highly unlikely that he will ever leave.

He will lose his dla benefits after 4 weeks. What happens to his Incapacity Benefit. Will he still get this in full or will it be paid at a reduced rate.

My mother receives the state pension, only about £45 per week, she also has a private pension, again only about £45 per week. They have about £25,000 in savings.

They own their own home.

On the information above is their any chance that they/my mother would be entitled to Pension Credit.

Many thanks for any guidance/advice given.

Torry_Quine

I don't have any answers to your benefit problems. I just wanted to assure you that Roxburghe House will be able to give him the very best care needed. As a new hospice it has state of the art facilities. My very best wishes to you and your family.

nearlyrich

Sorry to hear about your dad, I think the savings will be too much to allow any pension credit but I am not an expert, I am pretty sure that Pension credit is means tested. I hope you and your parents get the support you need through this difficult time but I don't think it will be financial unfortunately.


Just found this info on Age Uk website

McKneff

As to the practicalities re your mum, how come she has only £45 a week state pension.
Did she not pay enough NI stamps to get a full pension.
If that happened she should have been advised to claim her pension on your fathers contributions which would have given her 60% of a full pension.

I am so sorry you and your family are having to go through this. It is just so sad.
I have a friend who has been given 2 to 4 months to live as she has terminal cancer of the pancreas and secondaries and she is being so incredibly, incredibly brave. Seeing to it that her family will be okay, her husband will be okay, making sure the money is okay and planning her own funeral, it is so humbling.

Dont forget to tell your dad you love him and keep giving him hugs.

Good luck OP, sorry I couldnt be more help.

Annie

Broken_hearted

wishing you strength through tis painful time

elsien

Have a look at this one as well.
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/coping-with-cancer/coping-practically/financial-support/government-benefits

anmarj

McKneff wrote: »

As to the practicalities re your mum, how come she has only £45 a week state pension.
Did she not pay enough NI stamps to get a full pension.
If that happened she should have been advised to claim her pension on your fathers contributions which would have given her 60% of a full pension.


Annie[/QUOTE

this is incorrect in the fact that this cannot be claimed until her husband is state pension age ie 65, the OP has stated her father is on IB therefore under state pension age.

The DLA may not stop after 4 weeks as he is going into a hospice, your best bet would be to call DLA unit to let them know and let them make a decision.

Your mum should apply for Pension Credit, although she has £25k, there is no upper limit and she should possibly be entitled, and if the savings are joint then only half would be taken into account.

beth58_2

Sorry your family has to worry about finances at such a sad time for you all. Talk to the pension service they offer a great service and do home visits and outreach sessions. They'll advise your mum on what she is entitled to, normally DLA stops it depends if he gets care or mobility sometimes mobility component can still be paid if it's used to get your dad out for day visits and spending time with his family.

It all depends on the financial assessment which will be carried out by social services and who pays for his care, when you inform DWP they will make a new decision in regard to DLA mobility.

zaksmum

I'm not able to advise re the finances here but I'm so sorry for what your dad and your family are going through at this time.

McKneff

My apologies Anmarj, should have spotted that myself.:o

Be_Happy

Sorry to hear of your Dad.

Not sure if the position is the same in Aberdeen, but here in Fife, Citizens Advice has a specialist adviser, in a joint project with Macmillan, to give benefits advice to Cancer sufferers. You should contact your local CAB.

I know that some clients have had their financial situation transformed after getting the specialist advice.