Non means tested benefits

Dazza1902

My wife has cancer and has started chemotherapy to prolong her life. Currently she has full sick pay,vthis will reduce to half sick pay. After this she may be able to get ill health enhancement on her defined benefit pension. At best this will he 6 to 8 k pa, she has 9 yrs to state pension age. I work.
Is she likely to be entitled to anything ??

Rubyroobs

She should apply for PIP ( assuming she is under state pension age ) if her illness is affecting daily living activities and/ or mobility. When SSP ends she could claim New style ESA if she has paid sufficent National insurance contributions over the qualifying years. I'm not sure whether ESA would be affected by the ill health enhancement.

Dazza1902

Apologies for my ignorance, we've never claimed any benefit or been out of work, my wife has a full national insurance record.Whats pip ?

calcotti

PIP = Personal Independence Payment. See this
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/
https://www.gov.uk/pip
Entitlement to PIP is based on the difficulty somebody has carrying out prescribed activities. It is not based on a medical diagnosis.

Your wife is entitled to Statutory Sick Pay for 28 weeks. She is actually receiving more than this because of her contractual arrangements. Before the 28 weeks ends her employer should issue her with an SSP1 form which confirms the date on which SSP entitlement ends. As Ruby says she is then entitled to claim new style ESA (even while still receiving half pay).
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

Because she has cancer and if she is still having, or recovering from, chemotherapy she should automatically be placed in the Support Group. 

Although ns-ESA is not mean tested it is reduced by 50% of any pension income or health insurance payments payments (unless your wife paid more than 50% of the cost of the health insurance premiums) in excess of £85/week.

Say her pension is £9000/annum that equates to £173/week. 50% x (£173 - £85) = £44. This is the amount that would be deducted from the ESA payable.

You could also use a benefits calculator to check if you are entitled, as a couple, to any Universal Credit (which is means tested).
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

sheramber

MacMillan offer benefit advice

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/benefits-and-financial-support

Alice_Holt

I'd also recommend contacting Macmillan.
It's possible your wife's cancer nurse / unit may be able to make a direct referral to a Macmillan benefits adviser.

They should be able to help with with a PIP form. PIP is not means tested.

Dazza1902

Ok, thankyou. I was expecting no financial help at all. We'll go through MacMillan