Benefits

Hi, I wondered if you could give some advice please. I’m self employed cleaner working for myself. I’ve recently been diagnosed with non curable cancer & currently having chemotherapy. Due to this I’m currently unable to work & unsure if I’ll be able to go back to working. 
basically my question is do you know if I would be entitled to any benefits? At the moment apart from child benefit me & my husband don’t receive anything.

if you could give me any advice I would really appreciate.

many thanks 

  • Hello Bowery

    I'm very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Undoubtedly this will have been difficult news to hear and I hope that you and your husband have lots of support around you. 

    I wanted to reply to let you know about the Macmillan benefits and financial advice team. There's lots of information available on their website including a benefits calculator but I'd really suggest giving them a call to talk things through. I'm certain they will be able to give you the information and support you need to move forward with any claims that you are entitled to. 

    If there's anything else that you'd like to talk through with one of our nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope that this helps. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hi Bowery,

    PIP is not means tested and is based only on your condition. . 
    MacMillan were great with me, filled out my forms and were able to get my application fast tracked by the DWP, backdated to the day of my doagnosis.

    Good luck!
    Dave

  • Offline in reply to davek

    Thank you so much for your response. It was lovely to read your profile to hear how well positive you are.I’ve been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer & been advised it’s non curable there unable to operate & I’ve recently just had my 1st session of chemo. I have a CT scan in 3 months. I had thyroid cancer 2002 & bowel cancer 2022 to be told this at 49 years of age is hard. I’m sure like yourself I have good days & bad days. 
    you sound like you’re such a strong person your amazing wishing you lots of luck in the future 

  • Offline in reply to Bowery

    I’ve just been extremely lucky

  • Hi,

    sorry to hear this. Depending where you live do you have a Macmillan information and support centre near you? I work for one and we have a benefits advisor that looks at all options of what you could be entitled too. We have access to things like MacMillan grants etc. Popping in to see Someone may help ease the worries around that. They also offer emotional support etc. 

    Hope this helps. X

  • Thank you for your help I’ll look into it x