Advice please Cancer

grummps

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

Ive had the same problem - not entitled to anything. I was diagnosed last month and I'm due to have a full hysterectomy tomorrow and possibly followed by radiotherapy. I have worked 6 weeks in the last year due to being ill with complications that we now know is related to cancer.
Macmillan were useless - told me I wasnt entitled to anything and got sniffy when I mentioned DLA even though I've been poorly so long, I wasnt entitled to their grant as OH works full time and they are only allowed to take into account mortgage/rent and council tax as expenses and you are only allowed £100 surplus per month as a couple - we had over 1k after mortgage/CT even though our other expenses cripple us especially now I'm only on half pay so we got told no they couldnt help. I got put in touch with a local advisor who was very good and got very annoyed when I told her about the response I got about DLA and how long I was poorly for but you're right - all you basically get is tough.
PS I hope you have claimed your free prescriptions...

It seems that this is a common problem.

My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2001. She had her left breast removed and a considerable number of lymph nodes.

In January 2003 she was diagnosed as terminal as it had spread throughout her body. She died in May 2003.

At my suggestion I told dad to have a word with the Macmillan people about help. He was told that there would be no help as their income was above the limit that they consider the 'bread line'. All they had coming in were two state retirement pensions and a small works pension.

Likewise they were too old for most benefits anyhow - mum was 76 when she died and dad 78.

They couldn't afford taxis and had to use buses to get mum to and fro the hospital right through the harsh winter of 2001 in Lancashire.

People say that having cancer then termainal cancer does entitle you to all manner of financial help and that MacMillan are the best in the business in making sure you get it.

Sorry MacMillan I don't think so - you let my parents down when they needed you most.