Carers/PIP and cancer

rorysdad

Hi


Got a few questions if anyone knows the definitive answers?


1. My partner is the Carer for our 10 year old disabled son. He gets higher rate DLA - both care and mobility. She has been his carer for the past few years and receives £60 per week carer's allowance.
2. My partner was diagnosed on Xmas Eve with cancer. She has had a biopsy and will soon start chemo and then an operation in about 3 months time. As she herself is now ill - can she still claim carers for our son?
3. Can we get carers for my partner - can I or someone else be her carer at the same time as she is our son's carer (subject to the answer to 2. above)
4. Can my partner claim PIP? I read somewhere that you have to wait 3 months (unless terminal which she is not) - but a friend of ours who was diagnosed with cancer applied immediately and is still awaiting a decision 7 months later.


Any help greatly appreciated.


RD

Poppie68

rorysdad wrote: »

Hi


Got a few questions if anyone knows the definitive answers?


1. My partner is the Carer for our 10 year old disabled son. He gets higher rate DLA - both care and mobility. She has been his carer for the past few years and receives £60 per week carer's allowance.
2. My partner was diagnosed on Xmas Eve with cancer. She has had a biopsy and will soon start chemo and then an operation in about 3 months time. As she herself is now ill - can she still claim carers for our son?
3. Can we get carers for my partner - can I or someone else be her carer at the same time as she is our son's carer (subject to the answer to 2. above)
4. Can my partner claim PIP? I read somewhere that you have to wait 3 months (unless terminal which she is not) - but a friend of ours who was diagnosed with cancer applied immediately and is still awaiting a decision 7 months later.


Any help greatly appreciated.


RD

Your wife could carry on claiming CA if she is still providing a minimum of 35 hours a week...If her own illness prevents it then her CA will stop.

Yes it is possible for some one to claim CA for another person who is themselves in receipt of CA...This though can cause problems if the new CA is claimed for reasons that contradict the other care being claimed..

If she puts in a claim for PIP then unfortunately there is a long wait ...even those with a much less favourable prognosis are having problems. It usually is 3 month waiting period but 'special rules' apply with a claimant with a prognosis of 6 months or less...otherwise it is awarded on the care and mobility needs and not diagnosis.


Speak to a Macmillan nurse they will be able to offer some invaluable help and advice...Good luck.

Penny-Pincher!!

PIP or DLA is not given on a diagnosis but on how the disability or illness affects you with care needs compared to a normal healthy person. HTH

jewelly

I had cancer last year - hopefully clear now. I applied for PIP in August as the chemo side effects prevented me doing certain things for myself, so I therefore had care needs. I was awarded PIP in December, backdated to the date of my claim. My application was supported by a letter from my oncologist explaining the way the side effects were affecting my day to day life.

You don't apply when you get a diagnosis, but when you have care needs, which the application form is all about. People with a prognosis of less than 6 months to live will be fast-tracked by PIP.

All the best