Benefits and illness

lawdel18

hi everyone.
I was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid leukaemia (AML). I was working full time until i was admitted to hospital 5 weeks ago. i have had my first round of chemo and will need 3 more each with stints of around 6 weeks in hospital. Now I am very fortunate that I work for a company who pays 6 months full and im getting four months half pay, due to 2 months off work previously.
I live on my own no children and have a mortgage, im concerned about what i can claim if i need too when my pay reduces to half pay as will still need to cover all my bills. And then when it stops. ive been told i could be off over a year.
ive been told i will be able to claim pip but with the long stretches in hospital is there any point and esa once my pay stops. Ive worked for my company for nearly 10 years so nic shouldn't be a problem.
I probably shouldn't be worrying about this now but im a worrier. My full pay will stop in may sometime as i have annual leave i can add on and then my pay stops some time in august.
Just if some one can give me a bit of advice please

pmlindyloo

lawdel18 wrote: »

hi everyone.
I was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid leukaemia (AML). I was working full time until i was admitted to hospital 5 weeks ago. i have had my first round of chemo and will need 3 more each with stints of around 6 weeks in hospital. Now I am very fortunate that I work for a company who pays 6 months full and im getting four months half pay, due to 2 months off work previously.
I live on my own no children and have a mortgage, im concerned about what i can claim if i need too when my pay reduces to half pay as will still need to cover all my bills. And then when it stops. ive been told i could be off over a year.
ive been told i will be able to claim pip but with the long stretches in hospital is there any point and esa once my pay stops. Ive worked for my company for nearly 10 years so nic shouldn't be a problem.
I probably shouldn't be worrying about this now but im a worrier. My full pay will stop in may sometime as i have annual leave i can add on and then my pay stops some time in august.
Just if some one can give me a bit of advice please

Sorry to hear of your illness.

Please do not worry.

You should be given contact with a McMillan nurse and they are benefit 'experts' so for the moment put your mind at rest and concentrate on getting better.

Difficult to comment about benefit because we don't know your expected half pay amount.

PIP is a possibility and contribution based ESA once 28 weeks have passed (you can claim contribution based ESA after the Statutory Sick Pay has run out - after 28 weeks - even if you are still receiving contractual sick pay).

Have you got any critical illness cover? People often forget about this?

Later on you may need to contact your mortgage company and explain your circumstances. They may give you a mortgage holiday, extend your payment period , other options.

Your Macmillan nurse will support you with this so don't be afraid to ask for help to ease your worries.

All the best.

[Deleted User]

Hi there - So sorry to read about your diagnosis. I too was diagnosed with AML, back in June this year. Like yourself, I am also undergoing ongoing chemo, so understand what you are going through. I second what pmlindyloo wrote. Macmillan usually have benefits advisors who work alongside Citizens Advice Bureau. Your Macmillan nurse should direct you to them or, if not, you yourself go on the Macmillan website and look for the number of the team who deal with benefits. Bite the bullet and tell them of your predicament. They will then get in touch with your local CAB Macmillan Benefits team and they will visit you either at home or in hospital to discuss your entitlements etc. They really are excellent. We got them involved when I was diagnosed as we literally had no income coming in after I was hospitalised (I am/was self employed and husband out of work). Our benefits advisor was and still is excellent and told us about benefits we did not even know existed. The last thing you need at this time is to worry about money. You need to concentrate on getting over the chemo and hopefully getting into remission. Good Luck and God Bless, I will be thinking of you.

NYM

I'm sorry I can't offer any help, but pmlindyloo has given excellent advice.

I just wanted to wish you both the very best xx

lawdel18

Thanks everyone.
My haematology nurse she would put me in touch with the Macmillan nurses closer to the time of me going on to half pay.
I seem to be doing fine with the treatment , i just want to get back to normal.
Its easier said than done not to worry but i cant imagine being in the situation of not getting paid from work every one still have bills to be there should be provisions when someone is in hospital to help.

Thanks again
Laura