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Am I being unreasonable?

Rom23
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Hey,

Don't think I've posted here before but diagnosed SCCOHT IN 2017 and after TAHBSO with various other bits taken I had 6 rounds of intensive chemo. I was told by my doctor to make a full recovery from chemo could be 2-5 years if ever given the intensive chemo I was hit with. 

I've recently claimed ESA as I was sacked from my job due to a number of issues (making mistakes, not keeping up with workload etc) and declined after my assessment. They said I scored 0 points because they asked me stupid questions like "can you set an alarm clock" After a reconsideration they awarded it and put me in the work related activity group but this means I have to do work related things and it will only pay until October this year. I've asked twice to be put in the support group and they've refused based on the report which was full of lies and irrelevant information. Their website states people recovering from chemo should be in the support group. I have no energy every day and it's all I can do to get my son to school and cope with basic (very basic) house tasks. 
 

Has anyone else been through this? I know money is trivial when going through cancer but I'm trying to support my family in whatever way I can given they support the are providing me. 

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    Hi there ..

    Really sorry , don't know what SCCOHT is or TAHBSO is either, as most of us are just average people who are going through cancer or caring for someone with cancer... so unless it's the same cancer, it may help if you can say what they are ... 

    But anyways, give McMillan a ring ... and ask to speak to the financial advisers... there are rules for people going through cancer and treatments .. when I first applied for a benifit, they gave me training days.. and how to apply for jobs ... I'm serverly arthritic and cancer on top .. my Dr filled in an unfit for work form .. and after advice got the training cancelled .. so it is a bit of phoning round ... but ask McMillan about the spiecial rules .. 

    I'm tagging [@davek]‍   , as he knows more then me about this ... or where to go .. so don't give up .. they have made it so hard now to get benifits unless you cannot dress or cook .. or move more then a few steps .. for things like pip ... it's a nightmare .. but good luck ... keep going ... Chrissie x

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    Sorry for the abbreviations. I've been on pages where it's ovarian cancer patients so they all know. It's Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary Hypercalcemic Type. And the other Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral salpingo oopherectomy, basically tubes and ovaries on both sides. 

    It says on the Gov.uk website all patients recovering from chemo should be placed in the support group but they keep going back to my report which was done wrong. But they won't listen to me. They just assume I want some free money. Because that's what my life is about of course! 
     

    Hope someone can relate and advise but I will call someone too. Just feel like asking for help with financial support is low priority and there's so much more to worry about. 

  • Offline in reply to Rom23

    Please give McMillan a ring ... let us know how you go ... hopefully @Davek will pop on if he's around later ... don't let them win .. it all makes me really angry ... bet those xxx xxx have been lucky enough not to know how devistating cancer and treatments are ... so hope others can help you more ... at least I know now what those letters are .. I'm a breast cancer lass ... welcome to the site ... Chrissie x

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    Hi so sorry your going through this why dont you write a letter to your mp they do lie and twist things if u can get your gp involved all the better they realy are scum .i would ask consultant if he will give you a ds1500 form that entitles you to about 85 quid but he may or may not i got on the support group i was lucky but i had to be so careful theres lots on utube about this and apealing have a look . Sorry cant be more helpfull

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    Thanks Chrissie. It feels good to know I'm not judged for claiming help. I judge me enough for everyone I think! I've always been stubbornly independent so for me to ask for support is really hard and to then have to fight for it too is just something I don't have the energy for! 

  • Offline in reply to Paulus

    I'll get my GP involved. I've been waiting two weeks to see them and I'm there a week today.  Three weeks to get in is a joke. But a DS1500 isn't something I need. I'm thankfully not terminal. Just trying to get by living with the new life cancer has given me. I'm going to appeal but it shouldn't be this hard especially when they print online people recovering from chemo will be in the support group. 

  • Offline in reply to Rom23

    Good morning please look on u.tube try to do it yourself and they will knock you back again yes gp will help i didnt know how to put it about ds1500 sorry . Your mps the one realy . Hope you have successe . Have a word with mcmillan benifits halpline as the forms catch you out it is disgraceful but thats the system example you go for an interview and wear makeup and dress smart thats it they deemam you capable of looking after yourself ita that tricky they may pass something to you you lean over to take it thats it free movement you get points you have to have 15  I wish you well in the future .paul

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    Hi Rom23,

    MacMillan or Citizens Advice will be able to give expert professional advice.

    You may qualify for PPi - this isn't means tested so if you qualify you will receive it whatever other benefits or income you have. 

    MacMillan or Citizen's Advice may be able to advise whether you are able to sue your former employer for wrongful dismissal - they are legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments for anyone suffering from a disability and that includes cancer especially when the treatment has debilitating side effects.

    So sorry to read that your employers treated you so badly.

    Best wishes

    Dave

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