Need advice. Crisis.

calcotti

If your wife claims ESA she will not need to claim CA. She cannot be paid both and the ESA is worth more (£73/week rather than £66/week). With the ESA she can ask for it to be backdated for up to 3 months as long as she has a GP Fit Note to cover this period.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance-esa-claim-form
She will have to have a Work Capability Assessment and be found to have Limited capability for Work in order to continue getting ESA. However I think it is definitely worth applying because of the backdating and because she can apply now whereas carer's Allowance is not available unless/until your son has a PIP decision.

CakeCrusader

It's worthwhile calling Macmillan, they have benefits people and they can advise you, they can also let you know about the nPower energy fund (it's worth applying for so you can divert cash elsewhere). Their number's 0808 808 0000 (open 8am-8pm every day). It's quicker than emailing them. Keep hold of their number too, they have nurses who work on their helpline so you can call if there's something that you're worried about, they also offer emotional support too.



Be careful with PIP. They assess someone's needs at the time of making the application, and if your son doesn't need additional support now (even though he's very unwell), they will reject the claim. They base the whole benefit on points, awarding a certain number if someone needs help cooking a meal/eating/washing/getting around etc. Unfortunately having cancer isn't in their criteria unless the cancer and/or the treatment means that someone needs help with these the various daily activities on the form. If the do reject the claim then you do need to apply again once the treatment has started as you'll know what additional support he needs, chemo can often cause severe fatigue for example, so it's difficult trying to cook for yourself etc.



If you're in receipt of child benefit/child tax credits for your son these can often continue if there's a break in studies for medical reasons. https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-credits-technical-manual/tctm02230

Man_From_Bath

thanks to you all, it really feels mercenary but we've both never claimed a thing apart from maternity pay and child benefit in over 30 years.

sammyjammy

Do you have unsecured debt such as credit cards etc? It will impact on your credit record but that's not the end of the world and you could ask them for a period of grace where you make no payments.

I know its a drastic measure.

Man_From_Bath

I have a personal loan of £9000 but no credit cards.

The mortgage people have told me going interest only will NOT affect my credit rating as it's approved and i'm still paying more than just the interest.

As for the loan i haven't spoken to them yet. I am 3.2% £199 per month. I do have £12000 saved but need this incase i end up on reduced pay as well.

Rubyroobs

CakeCrusader wrote: »

It's worthwhile calling Macmillan, they have benefits people and they can advise you, they can also let you know about the nPower energy fund (it's worth applying for so you can divert cash elsewhere). Their number's 0808 808 0000 (open 8am-8pm every day). It's quicker than emailing them. Keep hold of their number too, they have nurses who work on their helpline so you can call if there's something that you're worried about, they also offer emotional support too.



Be careful with PIP. They assess someone's needs at the time of making the application, and if your son doesn't need additional support now (even though he's very unwell), they will reject the claim. They base the whole benefit on points, awarding a certain number if someone needs help cooking a meal/eating/washing/getting around etc. Unfortunately having cancer isn't in their criteria unless the cancer and/or the treatment means that someone needs help with these the various daily activities on the form. If the do reject the claim then you do need to apply again once the treatment has started as you'll know what additional support he needs, chemo can often cause severe fatigue for example, so it's difficult trying to cook for yourself etc.



If you're in receipt of child benefit/child tax credits for your son these can often continue if there's a break in studies for medical reasons. https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-credits-technical-manual/tctm02230

Most people I help with PIP forms who are undergoing intensive chemo ( as in this case) get an award particularly children and young people. They have to be constantly assessed for signs of blood counts dropping/ have temperature checked regularly, often have a Picc line in which needs to be kept sterile and can become unwell with neutropenic sepsis very quickly. I always document all this stuff, not to mention the huge amount of emotional support. people on chemo get sore mouths, nausea, severe fatigue, need to be careful what foods they eat from an infection point of view and often can't stand the smell of cooking food. I've rarely known anyone in this situation not get PIP. get help with the form form a macmillan benefits adviser if you have a team at your oncology centre or clic sargent social workers can help with the form.

Rubyroobs

Rubyroobs wrote: »

Most people I help with PIP forms who are undergoing intensive chemo ( as in this case) get an award particularly children and young people. They have to be constantly assessed for signs of blood counts dropping/ have temperature checked regularly, often have a Picc line in which needs to be kept sterile and can become unwell with neutropenic sepsis very quickly. I always document all this stuff, not to mention the huge amount of emotional support. people on chemo get sore mouths, nausea, severe fatigue, need to be careful what foods they eat from an infection point of view and often can't stand the smell of cooking food. I've rarely known anyone in this situation not get PIP. get help with the form form a macmillan benefits adviser if you have a team at your oncology centre or clic sargent social workers can help with the form.

And additionally they cannot mix with other people freely because of the infection risk so would score points on that, you can argue it would cause anxiety and distress to mix with others and go out to public places due to infection risk.

CakeCrusader

Rubyroobs wrote: »

Most people I help with PIP forms who are undergoing intensive chemo ( as in this case) get an award particularly children and young people. They have to be constantly assessed for signs of blood counts dropping/ have temperature checked regularly, often have a Picc line in which needs to be kept sterile and can become unwell with neutropenic sepsis very quickly. I always document all this stuff, not to mention the huge amount of emotional support. people on chemo get sore mouths, nausea, severe fatigue, need to be careful what foods they eat from an infection point of view and often can't stand the smell of cooking food. I've rarely known anyone in this situation not get PIP. get help with the form form a macmillan benefits adviser if you have a team at your oncology centre or clic sargent social workers can help with the form.

I hear from people who have been refused PIP and other benefits on a daily basis, sadly. It really does happen.

suki1964

I have to echo everyone else, get Macmillan on board. Not only can they help with benefits, they can also refer you to charities

Im involved in a very local charity here for cancer patients where we give one off payments towards heating costs for example, but it has to be a Macmillan referral. We also don't have a works do at Christmas, we use the money to make hampers for families who are really struggling on benefits over Christmas . There are loads of local small charities that offer help with the little things, transport to hospital, days out not just for the patient, but for siblings or. children for example. Little things that make life easier

Man_From_Bath

Rubyroobs wrote: »

Most people I help with PIP forms who are undergoing intensive chemo ( as in this case) get an award particularly children and young people. They have to be constantly assessed for signs of blood counts dropping/ have temperature checked regularly, often have a Picc line in which needs to be kept sterile and can become unwell with neutropenic sepsis very quickly. I always document all this stuff, not to mention the huge amount of emotional support. people on chemo get sore mouths, nausea, severe fatigue, need to be careful what foods they eat from an infection point of view and often can't stand the smell of cooking food. I've rarely known anyone in this situation not get PIP. get help with the form form a macmillan benefits adviser if you have a team at your oncology centre or clic sargent social workers can help with the form.

Ruby, Thanks for this. We have brought a ear thermometer from boots and check his temperature 3 times per day. we go into Bristol for blood test's every week before his chemo starts and he also has his dressing and Pic Line checked every week.

He is unable to wake before midday although he has been up for several hours last night with obvious emotional issues.

His nausea is managed with Anti Sickness and your right his mouth is full of ulcers. Clearly you've been through this yourself.

Thanks for you advice.