DLA for cancer patients?

lakesman

Hi forum, If someone has been diagnosed with cancer (actually I`m referring to a recurrence following previous treatment) are they eligible for any type and level of DLA? The person I am enquiring on behalf of has been told, and has read on a number of forums, that this is possible. Any comments would be welcome. Regards, lakesman

gorgeousgeorge

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Financialissues/Benefitsandfinancialhelp/Helpifyouhavecareneeds/DisabilityLivingAllowance.aspx

mad_spaniel

Personal Independance Payment is now "in" for all new claimants. Most cancer patients do not have a diagnosis that says they are terminally ill. Terminally ill in DWP terms is "likely to die within 6 months." a form DS1500 stating terminally ill signed by a medical professional plus PIP form guarantees a fast track/ high rate award. Any one else without the terminal illness diagnosis has to jump through the hoops of claiming PIP the slow way just like every one else describing their care or mobility needs. Then they get given points and based on the points, it's decided if they're entitled or not. Check for likely entitlement at https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence...pip/pip-self-test
Cancer patients don't have to pay for prescriptions. See .http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx

rogerblack

Terminal illness does not quite mean 'likely to die in 6 months' the phrase used is 'a progressive disease where death as a consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected within 6 months'.

This is not quite the same thing.
One can have a reasonable expectation of rain, for example if the sky is cloudy even though it's only forecast at 20% likelyhood.

dibdabable

As above if a terminal illness isn't likely, the diagnosis isn't as important as the effects the illness has on your ability to perform daily living tasks and mobilising. It's all about what you are finding difficult. Having cancer doesn't give a picture of what things are like for an individual and everyone's situation will be different. It would be a good idea to take a look at the types of questions you will be asked and think about how you are able/not able to do certain tasks.

You can find a list of descriptors and the points used to assess a claim on lots of sites, but to save you some time, here's one here;
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/benefits_w/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_the_pip_assessment_e/pip_activities_descriptors_and_points.htm