Diagonsed with Cancer - Benefits

sweetstudent

Hi, last week i was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, i was told by the oncologist that i am entitled to certain benefits such a Disability Living Allowance?, even though myself and my wife both work. I am currently on sick leave (on full pay) and we have a combined income of approx £35-37k PA. (We also own our own home).

I have tried to look on the internet and i am not sure if i am entitled to any, or even how to go about claiming for them? I did do a benefits estimation calculation the the direct gov website and it states that i may be entitled to working tax credits of £89.53 per week which seems a lot to me?

Obviously I know that nobody can say i am entitled to them on here, but if somebody could help me with any advice or direct me to any website which could help me please

Thanks,

nannytone_2

sorry to hear of your situation.

DLA can be claimed from 3 months after you become ill if you have care mobility needs or if your cancer has been diagmosed as terminal.
if the latter is true, then you would aooky under the special rules and your claim would be fast tracked.

you wouldnt be entitled to working tax credit as the cut off for a couple is about 18k

Errata

Macmillan will be able to give you the financial information you need. It's a freephone number 0808 808 0000. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/FinancialSupport/FinancialSupport.aspx
Wishing you a good outcome.

Credit-Crunched

Do you have any income protection policies, any critical illness policies.

Check that your employer does not offer these as standard, very few do, but i do come across some companies that offer small sums of cic as part of the package.

DomRavioli

Just to add, DLA isn't means tested, so as long as you tell them you have a job that you may go back to, there isn't a problem.

skibadee

Errata wrote: »

Macmillan will be able to give you the financial information you need. It's a freephone number 0808 808 0000. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/FinancialSupport/FinancialSupport.aspx
Wishing you a good outcome.

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis, definetly contact Macmillan, also your Oncology unit may have a information centre where you can obtain information etc.,

I don't know which part of the country you live in, but in some areas there are Maggies Caring Cancer Centres, they are wonderful , giving help/support/information to both you and your family.

Obviously you are now exempt from prescription charges, you can obtain a form either from your GP or Oncology unit.

I wish you well in your treatment etc.,

Errata

Your GP can also refer you very quickly to your local Macmillan service. Their knowledge about all the ins and outs of benefits and finances is vast, and they'll also make sure you have access to anything else you might need which you may not have thought of.

inkyblue_2

You will be entitled to free prescriptions for 5 years, see your GP for the form.