I need advice asap.

limavady77

I was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness. I have been awarded high rate care and mobility DLA. I was working and am currently getting SSP of £81.60. My partner works P/T for £120 per week. She wants to look after me and I know she could get C/A if she earned less than £100 per week. I was wondering how we stand for income support and housing benefit? What would we need to give up...i.e. her work or C/A?
Please help me fulfill the last few months of my life with dignity!?
Thanks
John

skibadee

Do you have a Pallative care nurse who could help you with this?

Very sorry to read your post.

wolfehouse

mcmillan run a benefits advice service by area of the country
give your local one a call
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/FinancialSupport/BenefitsAdvisers/MacmillanLocalBenefitsAdvisers.aspx

Oldernotwiser

Just to note - there are terminal diseases other than cancer.

OP, very sorry to hear of your situation although I can't help you with the figures. One thing to bear in mind is that, when you are gone, life will go on for your partner. CA/IS will stop when you go but a job will give her an ongoing income.

[Deleted User]

if your wife gave up work to care for you then you would get IS as a couple plus the carers premium of around £32 a week(you lose some of the £55 CA on IS),providing you meet the savings thresholds(under £6k no prob,over £6k you lose £1 a week IS for every £250 of savings,after £16k savings you dont ge t IS),if you do get IS you will qualify for 100% council tax rebate and housing benefit/lha if you rent
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/ will give you some ideas
if you need more help then just post again and i`m sorry you`ve had such bad news

limavady77

I appreciate your help...esp from Woodbine.
My partner won't have it any other way...she wants to be there for me every step of the way...life is short enough without missing her when shes at work for a few hors per day....at present anyway.
We were talking about a sabatical from work, where she could look after me, gain benefits for the short time, and return to work when needed.
We'll just have to see what happens....

GlasweJen

Your wife could take unpaid leave from work, most employers would support this in the circumstances.

Your DLA claim seems right, your ssp may prevent income support being payable (my maths is shocking), when does your SSP run out? You should be able to get LHA (if you rent, that will cover some or all of your rent payments) and council tax benefit.

There are other things for terminal people, social services can arrange for respite breaks for you.

At the end of the day there are some things that are more important and knowing you're limited time wise can make every day things seem worthless. Make a list of things to do together, be realistic and have fun ticking them off. Make sure she knows how you feel about her because you need to make a lasting impression now. Visit friends and family (but not for the chat, get someone else to break the news - believe me, you have no idea how personal people can take news like this).

Good luck OP

rogerblack

I'm unsure of the exact amounts.
However.
ESA support group - couples rate.
102.75 + Enhanced disability premium (due to high rate care) of 19.65 (if you are under 60) + 31.40 (support component)

Or around 150/week.
I think there may also be a 30/week carer premium payable.
(ESA and IS cannot be claimed together)

There is an 8 week 'run-on' of carers allowance.