Benefit Advice

beancounter1968

Hi

My cousin who is 58 has some learning difficulties and when his mum passed away, I kept an eye on his finances to make sure everything was okay. His mum left him the house, mortgage free and his monthly running were just about covered by his part time job - approx 10-15 hours a week.

Unfortunately he has been diagnosed with cancer and whilst under treatment, he is unable to work. There is a possibility he may not work again but this hasn’t been confirmed.

At the moment he has no income and with few savings he will soon run out of money. I am sure that there must be some way we can help him though I haven’t got a clue how to start a benefit claim process . I don’t know which benefit, if any, he would be entitled to.

I would be most grateful for any advice and thank you for reading.

Phil

Ames

This is going to sound horrible - is his cancer terminal and likely to cause death within six months? I only ask because if so then benefits are fast tracked and have slightly different rules.

If not, then he might be entitled to ESA, does he have any savings (including any money left by his mum to him)? ESA is the out of work benefit for people who can't work due to illness or disability.

Depending how he's affected he might be able to claim PIP. That's if he's having trouble with personal care or mobility. He might have to wait a few months depending on the answer to my first question.

Mojisola

Does he have contact with the Macmillan nurses?

They are usually very good at helping with benefit advice.

Alice_Holt

Mojisola wrote: »

Does he have contact with the Macmillan nurses?

They are usually very good at helping with benefit advice.

The nurses themselves wouldn't give benefit advice, but would be able to refer your cousin to a Macmillan Benefits Worker.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/organising/benefits-and-financial-support

The benefits potentially available to your cousin include:
PIP - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/

ESA - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/before-you-apply-for-esa/eligiblility-for-esa/
(or Universal Credit)

Council Tax support - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction/

A Macmillan Welfare worker should be able to guide you and your cousin through these benefits, and may also be able to source a grant if needed.

beancounter1968

Ames wrote: »

This is going to sound horrible - is his cancer terminal and likely to cause death within six months? I only ask because if so then benefits are fast tracked and have slightly different rules.

If not, then he might be entitled to ESA, does he have any savings (including any money left by his mum to him)? ESA is the out of work benefit for people who can't work due to illness or disability.

Depending how he's affected he might be able to claim PIP. That's if he's having trouble with personal care or mobility. He might have to wait a few months depending on the answer to my first question.

We haven’t been given any prognosis at this stage so can’t be sure. He sees an oncologogist on Friday so I will ask if he would like me to join him at that meeting. In terms of savings, he has about £5k in his current account. His job was as a cleaner in a store which he did in the morning before it opened. He can’t do the job at the moment and whilst he can walk a little, he has been using a wheel chair at the hospital from car park to see the doctor

Ames

£5k in savings won't affect ESA.

ESA isn't about whether he can do his job, but whether he can do any work. I think if he's on chemo it's an automatic entitlement to it without having to go through the assessment process - this link from Macmillan backs that up.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/organising/benefits-and-financial-support/working-age-benefits/managing-on-a-low-income.html

I hope the news is as good as it can be on Friday.

Mojisola

beancounter1968 wrote: »

His job was as a cleaner in a store which he did in the morning before it opened. He can’t do the job at the moment

Didn’t he go onto sick pay when he became unable to work?

beancounter1968

Ames wrote: »

£5k in savings won't affect ESA.

ESA isn't about whether he can do his job, but whether he can do any work. I think if he's on chemo it's an automatic entitlement to it without having to go through the assessment process - this link from Macmillan backs that up.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/organising/benefits-and-financial-support/working-age-benefits/managing-on-a-low-income.html

I hope the news is as good as it can be on Friday.

Thank you for your comments. He’s had a tough few years so we are hoping he comes through this

beancounter1968

Mojisola wrote: »

Didn’t he go onto sick pay when he became unable to work?

I think he is getting some ssp

Linda18

Hi guys. I’m new to this forum in search of some advice.

I had an accident at work which caused back problems in November 2015, my gp had then been signing me off work whilst I claimed ESA. I then was referred for a WCA and got refused in
January 2016. With 0 points. I requested a mandatory reconsideration which did not change the outcome. Then took it to tribunal. Waited over a year and on 25/05/2018 I finally won awarded 25 points. Group LCWRA group.
I’m just confused as to when monies will be backdated to and how much? Would like to know
how far they have to backdate it to as want to make sure they don’t try there luck any further. !!!129300;
I have called dwp but the do not seem to know much or making so out !!!129335;!!!8205;!!!9792;!!!65039;

Any help would be fab.
Thanks guys xx

Linda18

Sorry also forgot to mention I was put onto UC after the WCA still am now.