Hi everybody,

I'm writing on behalf of my Aunt and Uncle. Recently my uncle was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He's just undergone surgery to remove his prostate and is currently in recovery, the operation was two days ago. My uncle has been in consistent employment for at least the last 30 years up until recently when he had to start doing agency work. Already suffering severe depression he continued working through his diagnosis of cancer because money is very tight. His wife is classed as a part time worker and is paid poorly for it (in my opinion) so not working wasn't an option. However knowing his surgery was coming up in a few weeks he went to his doctor hoping to be signed off as he was finding it incresingly difficult to cope. His doctor did not sign him off instead telling him he had to wait until his surgery. In those weeks between that appointment and waiting for surgery the agency he works with have let him go and sent him his P45, I think saying because he has cancer and needed an op he'd be unfit for their work. If the doctor has signed him off when he should have at least getting some statutory sick pay would have been more straight forward a process and better than nothing. 

So now he is unable to apply for sick pay and doesn't know how to go about applying for benefits or exactly what benefits he's entitlted to. It's more than daunting for him and his wife, the thought of filling in huge benefit forms right now.

If somebody here has any advice we would be terribly greatful. My Aunt is really struggling with the stress of everything and I fear she will become ill, or more ill than she already is. I know she's finding it incredibly difficult to keep it together. I don't think they would mind me saying that they are desperate for help. Even the thought of phoning places and sorting everything out is too much for her. Everybody is at breaking point what with one thing or another. It's not a great time for anybody but the thought of having a bit of financial help would at least ease some worries. They have no savings and can't live off my Aunt's wage alone. It's pretty scary when you think you live wage to wage and something like this happens. I don't know what people are supposed to do. 

So if anybody has any ideas or advice on the simplest way of trying to get some benefits until my uncle is fit for work again. Sorry for such a long post!

Thank you in advance