My mum is fighting a losing battle with this horrible disease and i was discussing practicalities with my brother today and dont know who to ask this question to , maybe someone here can offer an answer. 

Supposing you are  person who's partner or parent is going through this and you are the sole earner,  now their condition is deteriorating and you want to take time off work to ensure care is in place and they're ok,  your boss is ok with it but obviously can't pay you,  you can't claim sick pay cos you're not and you can't sign on cos you're not unemployed ! How are you meant to pay the bills and live ? I'm so sorry for asking this but it's just i have nobody else to ask.