Brain Tumour, private home owner = no help

Spendless

OP- I have no idea what the answer is but have you tried contacting an organisation like Dial for info and advice?

http://www.dialuk.info/

If you aren't entitled to anything extra financially have you spoke to your mortgage provider to see if they will reduce payments for a while to help you out?

Also do you have children? If so have you informed tax credits of the change in family income due to your OH only being in receipt of SSP?

mealone

upsadaisy wrote: »

He has no care or mobility needs. He works with machinery and work don't want him in his current job and said that light duties are reserved for pregnant women so stay at home.

Since he has no care on mobility needs he isnt entitled to anything above his sick pay* if he is to ill to work but if he can do a job available at his work place I would push for duties so at least he will be earning again.

I hope he is on the road to recovery now, good luck to him.

*as you work he cant get any additional help thats offered to people who live alone whos only income is just SSP and they dont have over 16k savings.

skater_kat

can you switch to an interest only mortgage?

will your joint income drop low enough to warrant an application for tax credits?

QuackQuackOops

DLA is not paid for illnesses so it doesnt matter if you have a brain tumour or a sore finger, all DLA concern themselves with is to what extent claimants have care and mobility needs.
If a claimant has none, then no DLA will be paid, regardless of the name of the illness.

What type of brain tumour is it?

QuackQuackOops

brumankids wrote: »

I too have a brain tumour and currently undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. I was told today by nurse specialist that I am entitled to DLA. She even completed application for me ��
I have not worked since end of July following surgery and my salary stops at the end of this month.
Check with nurse specialist or benefits advisor at CAB. The DLA opens doors for other benefits too eg automatic blue badge.

Good luck

DLA is not paid for illnesses and I dont understand how a nurse could fill out the form for you or how she knows you are entitled to it.
With DLA you have to be ill for a few months before applying and your illness must be expected to last more than 6 months.

Also, DLA does not "open the door for you" with any other benefit at all.

Errata

DLA is available to those who have care and/or mobility needs. People who are having or have recently had a course of radical radiochemotherapy very often find themselve unable to do very much for themselves at all, or have the energy, strength and stamina to be fully mobile.

MrsManda

If you put your household details into one of the benefits calculators you may find you'll be able to claim some low income benefits but it will depend on your household income and savings.
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=

If your partner is unlikely to be back at work any time soon you need to speak to your mortgage company as soon as possible to discuss your mortgage repayments. They may allow you to reduce your monthly payments by lengthening the term or changing it to interest only or give you a payment holiday.

It's also worth sitting down with a list of all your income and outgoings and working out what you can cut down on.

What treatment is your partner receiving?

salau2

Disability Living Allowance is a benefit given for people who have care and or mobility needs. Care includes things such as personal care i.e. getting in and out of bed, dressed, washed etc… and attentive care needs such as supervision. If your partner suffered dizzy spells for example then he could argue he needs supervision to prevent danger. If he gets confused/disorientated this could also allow for a DLA claim. It depends on the amount of care and or mobility issues he has. You are best speaking to a benefits specialist.

DLA is classed as a ‘passporting benefit’ and can lead to other claims such as the pass pass and disabled blue badge scheme (subject to Higher Rate Mobility), Council Tax Disregards and disabled elemnts on Tax Credits and disabled premiums on means tested benefits. The only time DLA will be awarded for illness/disease is if that illness or disease is a terminal one which the claimant is reasonably expected to die within the next 6 months. Then it is automatic Higher Rate Care (not mobility). One month to appeal DLA decisions.

If your partner’s sick pay and statutory sick pay ceases he may be entitled to ESA. Subject to criteria. Again one month to appeal. If you are in hardship and you need help with Council Tax you may be entitled to Council Tax Benefit (subject to Income). You may also be able to get help for council tax from your local authority if in hardship by applying for a discretionary housing payment.

Regarding disability discrimination the Equality Act 2010 will protect a disabled person who:

Has a disability if:
· they have a physical or mental impairment
· the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities
For the purposes of the Act, these words have the following meanings:
· 'substantial' means more than minor or trivial
· 'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions)
· 'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping
People who have had a disability in the past that meets this definition are also protected by the Act.

If your partner thinks they meet this criterion then they may have a claim for disability discrimination. You should begin by contacting ACAS and note you will have 3 months to appeal to a employment tribunal.

BigAunty

upsadaisy wrote: »

My partner has a Brain Tumour, is being paid stat sick pay by his work. The MacMillan people say we are entitled to nothing. I do work and have a decent income, but not enough to cover the mortgage and all the bills. I don't know what we can do.

Sorry about your situation. Unfortunately for your situation, benefits take into your income and capital and do not take into account any personal expenses.

The previous posts re DLA and trying to persuade your employer to allow him light duties are sound.

Apart from that, your only definate way to cope is by reducing household expenses.

Download the budget planner on this site, work through all the sections and forums that deal with money saving.

That way you will be able to monitor and slash your household costs with the frugal tips you find. This will include things like switching to cheaper insurance, energy, telecoms suppliers, bargain recipes to cut your food bill and so on.

bobajob_1966

salau2 wrote: »

If your partner thinks they meet this criterion then they may have a claim for disability discrimination. You should begin by contacting ACAS and note you will have 3 months to appeal to a employment tribunal.

No, they should begin by reminding the employer of their responsibilities. Plus ACAS are pretty useless, the OP will get better support through MacMillan, who may even speak with the employer on their behalf.

Best not to copy and paste information without being sure of what you are posting.