what benefit for cancer sufferer

kronas · 21 July 2007 at 3:43PM

hi all, found out recently that my mum has cancer, the financial pressure has increased for everyone and will do in the future to get her to places for treatments and any additional provisions she needs, so my question is what benefits could she be entitled to, shes always been a housewife ad has depression too

Noozan · 21 July 2007 at 3:55PM

Sorry to ask so "bluntly" - is your mum's cancer deemed to be terminal?

My dad has cancer which the docs are trying to control rather than cure, as it were. His GP has signed a document for him called a DS1500, which entitled him to claim Disability Living Allowance under the "special rules". He is getting high rate care and we are waiting on a decision for the mobility element. There is usually a lengthy wait for a DLA decision, but with the DS1500, the decision was given in under a week and it is also paid weekly rather than 4 weekly.

kronas · 21 July 2007 at 4:11PM

Noozan wrote: »

Sorry to ask so "bluntly" - is your mum's cancer deemed to be terminal? My dad has cancer which the docs are trying to control rather than cure, as it were. His GP has signed a document for him called a DS1500, which entitled him to claim Disability Living Allowance under the "special rules". He is getting high rate care and we are waiting on a decision for the mobility element. There is usually a lengthy wait for a DLA decision, but with the DS1500, the decision was given in under a week and it is also paid weekly rather than 4 weekly.

at the moment all we know is she will go for chemo and hopefully it will shrink, its osophageal spread to stomach, she cant really get about etc due to the weakness loss of weight (sickness), being fed through the nose (tube liquid food) and nill by mouth

Mrs_B_12 · 21 July 2007 at 9:30PM

Has she seen a Macmillan cancer nurse yet? If you have one locally they are fantastic at helping sort out benefits etc.

Joaquina · 21 July 2007 at 10:06PM

If your mother is not single (a housewife?) then if your dad has an income, no means tested benefits would be awarded (Income support, Jobseekers allowance etc).
Disabilty Living allowance may be awarded as per previous replies. If your mother is awarded Higher rate DLA then Carers allowance may be payable to whoever is caring for your mother (if the conditions are met).
If your mother is over 60, contact The Pension Service. They will help with all benefit advice and help complete forms too.