what benefits can i get if i have cancer and cant work?

weejamesy

Wondering if someone might be able to help – I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and am currently undergoing chemotherapy. This will continue until the end of June, then I will have further surgery, then radiotherapy.
I work full time, term time in a school. Although I feel ok and have been trying to come in as much as I can, I miss a lot of work and will probably miss more as the year goes on. I doubt I will be back properly full time until about October time.
I haven’t been in my job long, so don’t get any employer sick pay and have gone onto SSP.
I am married with a young child, and I pay childcare for her during the week.
My husband works full time – he earns approx. £1400 a month and works 35 hrs.
We are already struggling as I am on quite a low wage and we are getting further and further behind with things. I am worried constantly about how we will pay for everything with me being off work and im not sure what to do.
I have spoken to the macmillan financial line but all they offered to do was send me out some leaflets. That’s no help.
Would I be entitled to anything? If im not working and claiming ssp could I get income support? Or what about working tax credit if I can continue to work? What about housing or council tax benefit?
I fear my husband earns too much to get anything, but with a young child and my earnings cut by more than half, theres not a lot to go round.
Can anyone suggest anything I can apply for?
Thanks

harry7075

I'm sorry to hear about your news. I'd suggest you contact McMillan Nurses. They will be more savvy with the benefit system for Cancer suffers.

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/home.aspx?utm_campaign=brand+|+brand+terms&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_content=macmillan+nurses


I wish you a speedy recovery.

wiccanlou

I'm not sure if you are aware of this but you are eligible for free prescriptions whilst undergoing treatment for cancer, this is direct from the macmillan site.

People with cancer in England are eligible for free prescriptions. All people undergoing treatment for cancer, or the effects of cancer or its treatment, can apply for an exemption certificate by collecting form FP92A from their GP surgery or oncology clinic.

weejamesy

thanks for your replies

i will try ringing the macmillan line again tomorrow and see if i get more joy. i ahve a feeling i wont be entitled to anything as my husband works full time (too many hours for WTC) and earns 'too much' £1400 a month to qualify for income support.

i worked out after rent, ct and bills are paid we have about £100 a week to live on - surely thats under what the government says we can survive on?

it seems my only option is to force myself into work as much as possible.

i already get free prescriptions as i live in scotland

harry7075

I hope you get sorted as the last thing you need at the moment is to worry about money. Good Luck

pmlindyloo

I am wondering if you might be eligible for DLA. This is not means tested so your other income would not be taken into account.

It is becoming extremely difficult these days to get it. Having cancer is not an 'eligible' factor. It is based on the care and mobility needs arising from your illness.

Also to meet the criteria you will need to have had these 'needs' for 3 months before you apply and expected for them to continue for at least 6 months.

I have read of people being awarded DLA because of the effects from the chemotherapy and not being able to cook a meal for themselves.

Sorry to put it so bluntly but these forms are extremely difficult to complete so I would suggest you get someone from Macmillan/CAB to help you do it. They have a great deal of experience in completing these forms and will give you the best chance of receiving the DLA.

I do hope things work out for you and send you my best wishes for a full recovery.

It does appear that you are not eligible for any other benefits but it may be worth using the benefit checker on www.turn2us.org.uk just to make sure.

PS You may want to post your SOA (incomings and outgoings) on the DebtFreeWannabe forum. This forum isn't just for people with debts. They will help you manage your budget in the best way possible.

fogartyblue.

I would suggest that you ring MacMillan. They have a dedicated team that deals with benefits for cancer sufferers.

The hospital I go to has a permanent office in reception of the Oncology department.

They are fantastic!

skibadee

I couldn't read and run, I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis I too was diagnosed 8yrs ago, whilst undergoing chemotherapy I was adviced to stay away from work....I was working as a nursery nurse in a childrens day nursery at the time.....because of the germs etc., and having a lowered immune sytem due to chemotherapy, it is also a very debilitating treatment along with the mental struggle a diagnosis brings.
Do you have PPI on any credit cards/loans etc., if you have any?
I would try Macmillan again, or CAB, or do you have a Cancer information centre within your Oncology unit or a Maggies Cancer centre all these offer help with financial implications of being diagnosed and treated.
Would you be entitled to more Tax Credits whilst claiming SSP??
I was told that the surgery and treatment would take the best part of a year....and it did.
I hope you find some help, and wish you well with your treatment etc.,

agrinnall

I'm not going to suggest that you ring MacMillan again because it's clear you have done so already and intend to again - I'm not sure why some other posters seem not to have read what you've written.

However, when my friend was diagnosed with lung cancer it was MacMillan who advised him on what he could claim. In his case he went through his MacMillan nurse rather than a help line, have you been allocated one yet? If you have it may be worth raising with them, as they may either be able to give you advice themselves from previous experience dealing with similar cases, or suggest ways for you to find out elsewhere.

sleepless_saver

weejamesy wrote: »

i will try ringing the macmillan line again tomorrow and see if i get more joy. i ahve a feeling i wont be entitled to anything as my husband works full time (too many hours for WTC) and earns 'too much' £1400 a month to qualify for income support.

Sorry, but this doesn't make sense. You can't work "too many hours" for WTC - you can only work too few hours or earn too much.

You're right that you won't get income support. cibadee has given you good suggestions about places to get advice/help. Meantime you could do a benefit check , and also apply for tax credits.

taxi73

Once your SSP runs out you can apply for contribution based ESA and this is dependant upon your previous NI contributions.You will only get that if you are not working at all.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.I can empathise with you as had the same in 2010 and still suffering effects from chemo.Good luck with your treatment.
Did you take critical illness cover on your mortgage if so you can claim on that.