Need advice. Crisis.

Man_From_Bath

Hi All.
So basically our world has been ruined as my teenage son has been diagnosed with cancer. He is very fit and healthy and as anyone would be we are devastated.

My wife is a self employed childminder and has had to stop working after 15 years to a) care for my son and b) stop the risk of any infections in the house. I am back at work even though mind is all over the shop. We've lost about 40% of our income.

He is undergoing chemo and then we pray radio therapy.

We have been granted a blue badge and I've also contacted my mortgage provider to ask to go interest only for 12 months.

Son has applied for a PIP and once this is granted wife will then apply for carers allowance. We do have some saving's but they'll be gone within 6 months.

Please don't clog this up with your best wishes, they are appreciated but i'm really after advice whether phoning Council Tax, British Gas, EE etc will get me anywhere.

Thanks

KatrinaWaves

Unfortunately I am not aware of any discounts that utilities and phone providers give for ill children.

Depending on the specifics of your sons age, you may get a carer exemption for your wife when she gets the CA which would be 25% as you would be the only liable party if your son is under 18. If your son is 18 plus this may not make any difference to the council tax.

Macmillan usually give pretty good advice on what is available to those with cancer.

Man_From_Bath

My son is currently 17 and is / was doing A Levels at school.

Can you explain in more details what the carers allowance etc is ? we've never claimed anything so are clueless to be honest.

Thanks

ohreally

If you're a union member speak with them as there may be grants available through your union at this difficult time.

poppy12345

If your son is awarded the daily living part of PIP then your wife will be able to claim carers allowance for looking after him. If this is claimed within 3 months of the date of the decision for the PIP then it's backdated to the start of the PIP award.


https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility

Spoonie_Turtle

Not a financial help but you can request to be put on the priorities register with your utilities companies. What that means exactly differs between companies but basically they give advanced warning where they can and you are a priority for having your supply restored in the event of a power cut or things like that. https://carers.org/article/extra-help-energy-suppliers Also check whether you may be eligible for a warm homes discount - very much dependant on your current income by the looks of it https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/energy-saving/warm-home-discount.html (I'm assuming British Gas because you mentioned them, if not then of course check your actual provider's page).

In the spirit of MSE it may be worth contacting EE to ask about a cheaper landline deal - don't *expect* anything, but if you don't ask, you certainly won't get. I'm not sure whether you'd be able to cut any mobile bills; it depends on your current situation, whether it's a rolling contract, or if you can switch to something cheaper from the same company if you're in a longer contract.

Presumably your hospital have told you about how to access the cheapest parking rates, but just wanted to mention it in case they hadn't. It varies by hospital of course but if you haven't been told anything about parking for attending treatment sessions, do ask about it.

He will be eligible for free prescriptions while he's receiving treatment for cancer but will need to apply for a medical exemption certificate (if he hasn't already).

Rubyroobs

Speak to macmillan, he may be able to get a grant and they can give advice on what benefits you may be able to claim. You may be able to get universal credit depending on household income and savings if you don't already get tax credits. UC would include a disabled child element once PIP awarded. There may also be other grants for teenagers like Clic sargent grant I think. Speak to your hospital social work team. Macmillan also have a financial guidance team who can advise on mortgage issues etc.

calcotti

It's difficult to comment on non-mean tested benefits without some indication of your ongoing earnings. As others have said you may qualify for some Universal Credit but that will depend on your income.

Is your son continuing to study at school for 'A' levels or other 'non-advanced' education? Or has he ceased education. If he is not studying he may be able to make a claim for Universal Credit himself. If he is receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy he is entitled to be automatically treated as having Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity. Normally UC cannot be claimed below the age of 18 but there is an exception for those with Limited capability for Work (if not studying).

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility
Even if he is studying I think he can claim UC if he is awarded Daily Living PIP.

If income is low you may qualify for Council Tax Reduction from your local authority which would help with the cost of Council Tax.

Do note that not everybody who has cancer gets PIP. It depends on how they are affected by the illness and treatment and how long this is expected to go on. Many people are diagnosed and treated over a period which is less than 12 months and if this is what is expected they do not meet the PIP qualifying conditions.

If your wife has been paying Class 2 NI contributions and her GP is willing to sign her off sick (presumably on grounds of stress) she may be able to claim new style ESA which is not means tested.

Ideally you need a benefits calculation done using information about your income to see what benefits (or combination of benefits) is going to be most beneficial.

Alice_Holt

Just to say I would second the advice to contact Macmillan.

I'm pretty sure Bath & North East Somerset Citizens Advice have a Macmillan Benefits Caseworker.
https://www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk/

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/in-your-area/local-dashboard/detail/Benefit%20advice%20services/8224/Macmillan-Welfare-Rights-Team---Bath---North-East-Somerset-Citizens-Advice

They would be able to help with a benefit check and possibly grants. Calcotti's good point about whether your son might have eligibility for UC could be followed up with the Macmillan caseworker. They would be also able to give further help with his PIP claim, should this be necessary.

More on Carers Allowance:
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

This may be useful:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/extra-help-pip-entitles-you-to/

Man_From_Bath

Hi All. I earn £30k. I have spoken to my mortgage lender Tesco and they were excellent and allowed me to go interest only for 3 months with a further 3 months if required. They thanked me for telling them straight away.

I've also emailed McMillan support today to see what advice they can give.

my son is still officially at school but hasn't attended a full day since September.

My wife has always paid her tax and NI and yes she has been signed off for 4 months, i will look up ESA ?

Please keep the advice coming.

Thanks.

poppy12345

Man_From_Bath wrote: »

My wife has always paid her tax and NI and yes she has been signed off for 4 months, i will look up ESA ?

Please keep the advice coming.

Thanks.

May sure it's New style ESA that she claims, for this she will have needed to have paid class 2 NI contributions in tax years 2016/17 and 2017/18.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance


This pays £73.10 per week for 52 weeks, unless placed into the Support Group.