Terminal Illness

Terrysdelight

Hello

Sadly a good friend of mine has been given the news that she is unlikely to survive more than 3 to 6 months.

She is a single parent with two children - one is disabled and she is his full-time carer.

I am helping her get things sorted and have made an application for DLA under the special rules for her. I believe she receives income support (if it still exists) as she can't work due to caring for her son.

Are there any other benefits she would be entitled to other than the DLA?

Does anyone know of any charities that could help out with perhaps some days out for her with her boys?

Many thanks for your help.

Horseunderwater

Are we saying the big C - if so macmillan nurses can help you sort it all out. If something else there are often charity web sites that cover a certain illness and they also have specialists who can help in these circumstances.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Terrysdelight wrote: »

Hello

Sadly a good friend of mine has been given the news that she is unlikely to survive more than 3 to 6 months.

She is a single parent with two children - one is disabled and she is his full-time carer.

I am helping her get things sorted and have made an application for DLA under the special rules for her. I believe she receives income support (if it still exists) as she can't work due to caring for her son.

Are there any other benefits she would be entitled to other than the DLA?

Does anyone know of any charities that could help out with perhaps some days out for her with her boys?

Many thanks for your help.

A GP, consultant or specialist can and will sign a DS1500 report for her. You not she [anyone] can ask for this on her behalf. This will 'fast track' any benefits from any source she is entitled to.

The BEL line number is : 0800 88 22 00
Disability Living Allowance: 028 9090 6182
Attendance Allowance: 028 9090 6178
Carers Allowance: 028 9090 6186

In short and within reason she can have anything you need without any requirement to prove anything to anyone, the DS1500 report clears any obstacles for you.

NOTE. This, quite properly, is one of the few fast track avenues. Best of luck

bigjl

Not sure what area your live in but there are Hospices that provide care and support for term' patients.

One very good one is Holy Joes in East London, took loads of patients there before I retired.

Website is here. http://www.stjh.org.uk/

rogerblack

Terrysdelight wrote: »

Are there any other benefits she would be entitled to other than the DLA?

Employment and support allowance - this will again be fast-tracked.
She can (if her doctor will provide a backdated note) apply for this to be backdated up to 3 months - if she has not been earning or claiming JSA.

pstuart

Macmillan nurses are the first port of call and can help with all of the above and more.

Terrysdelight

Thanks everyone. Yes it is the big C. I've got a card for the macmillian nurses so I will give them a call.

I'm taking the DLA form to her doctors tomorrow and it will be fasttracked - the hospital told me how to do it.

Will she be sent a copy of the DS1500? I contacted a charity and they said they would need a letter from the hospital. Was just thinking, maybe a copy of the signed DS1500 would suffice?

Richie-from-the-Boro

The GP's surgery should have them available, > see < ring and ask, the GP's administration order them in bulk booklets from DWP stationary. The form should be handed back to you - NOT - sent to the DWP by the GP's system, but sent by you.

Subject to the GP's signature :

DLA or AA will be aid without having to satisfy a qualifying period

DLA or AA will be paid at the highest rate of care even if they do not need help looking after themselves if a patient is claiming IB then a person who is terminally ill and incapable of work can get the highest rate of benefit after 28 weeks instead of 52 weeks sickness

rogerblack

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

DLA or AA will be aid without having to satisfy a qualifying period

Similarly ESA - ESA is payable immediately at the 'main phase' rate - without waiting the 13 week assessment period.
(If the above mentioned backdating is possible, this may mean a payment of 3 months of support group payments as a back payment up front)

Richie-from-the-Boro

REM also help with travel and other 'incidentals' can creep up on you and really add up, Macmillan for example have their own transport system in many areas of the country.

Per month :

- travel to hosp £170
- parking in hosp £37
- extra fuel bill £30

Just these few add to an extra £237pm, if loss of earnings were added just for the days lost to hospital visits then another £860 could be added to the total making nearly £1100pm. So where help exists - get it !

Errata

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Macmillan for example have their own transport system in many areas of the country.

Could you give a link to this, as I've never heard of it and it could be useful to me.