Benefits help for terminal cancer patient HELP!!

andyboy4

Well here's the story and problem !!
Hope someone can help!!

After beating breast cancer in 2009 my mrs,(partner for 17 years) and I have had the devastating news that she now has secondary breast cancer which has spread in to her bones and will eventually take her from us

She was working until recently when the pain in her bones got too much, and had to stop work, on the advice of her GP

She has good days and bad days, some days she can hardly move about and others minimal pain with good movement.

We enquired through McMillan weather she would be entitled to any benefits and was told that they don't think so even though she can't work they were of no help and only sent a 60 odd page leaflet. I have a small company that only employs 2 people including myself and my income has come down significantly due to me having to take time off work to care for her approx 25k income at present which will further decrease the more time I have to take off not to mention the long term effect this will have on the company to be able to keep paying me.

I have looked at DLA but the criteria seems ridiculous as she can still wash herself and make herself a sandwich I don't think she is eligible

The only help I seem to be able to find is when a government doctor deems she only has 6 months to live which seems really awful, but I understand there have to be rules.

Am I missing anything here? is this really right that she cannot claim for anything? We have never claimed from the social system even though we have paid in over £150k over the years and now is the time we need a bit of help

Can anyone offer some advice

On another issue with this she has a private pension which isn't worth much (8k pot at present) because she is only 45 the pension company say that she is not entitled to unlock it until she's 55!! Even though she has a terminal illness.

Is there any way or can someone suggest how she can unlock it after all it's her money and she may as well enjoy it as much as she can in the time available to her.

We have no children at home anymore they are all grown up and independent

Thanks

Andy

cockaleekee

She may be eligible for ESA - this would depend on whether she has paid sufficient NI Conts in tax years 10/11 and 11/12.

The information you have on DLA is correct - however it does not need to be a govt doctor, your GP or specialist can complete the form if the circumstances are applicable.

rogerblack

DLA - it is likely if the doctor is willing to sign the appropriate form to say she is terminally ill - that this will rapidly come into payment.
The hideous term is 'Death can reasonably be expected within 6 months'.
This however does not mean that it needs to be likely.


One can reasonably expect rain if the sky is overcast - even if the forecast says 20% likelyhood.
The 'special rules' route for the terminally ill means you don't need to qualify normally based on care needs.
Your income is way too high for her to be able to claim any income-based benefit.
Or for you to claim carers allowance.

https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit/overview - phone them today, and get an application in.
As above - if she was working in 10/11 and 11/12 - then she might be entitled to ESA(C) - otherwise not.

[Deleted User]

you could ask about the pension on the mse pensions forum,but i suspect the only time it will pay out will be on death,or from the age of 55

xylophone

http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/personal-and-stakeholder-pensions/stakeholder-pension-schemes/ill-health-retirement

rogerblack

woodbine wrote: »

you could ask about the pension on the mse pensions forum,but i suspect the only time it will pay out will be on death,or from the age of 55

I note the recent concern over companies offering schemes to cash in part of your pension early.
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/new-warning-beware-the-rip-off-merchants-preying-on-your-pension-110115320.html

This is clearly something to approach with _extreme_ caution.

andyboy4

Thank you all so very much I will take the advice you have given and get the ball rolling

ladyrider260

DLA, my friend. Fill out the form describing her symptoms AT THEIR WORST. Yes, she has good days but on her bad days, can she really make herself a sandwich? The CAB can be good at signposting you to other entitlements too. Macmillan are good for care but not too knowledgeable on benefits. My heart goes out to you both & I hope you're able to find some financial help which will allow you to spend more time with your wife.

Mojisola

ladyrider260 wrote: »

DLA, my friend. Fill out the form describing her symptoms AT THEIR WORST. Yes, she has good days but on her bad days, can she really make herself a sandwich? The CAB can be good at signposting you to other entitlements too.

Please don't do this. It can leave your wife open to being accused of benefit fraud.

It's far better to say - on bad days I can't do x and y and I have z bad days a week.

I would definitely ask for help in making a claim.

If the doctor will fill in the form that rogerblack mentions, it will all go through very quickly.