Hello one and all
I am writing this to tell people who have not been receiving anything regarding Benefits, Allowances or Blue Badge how we came about what Peter has received and how!
He was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer October 08. While we were at the Consultants meeting we were introduced to a Cancer Care Cymru Nurse Specialist who informed us that she would help us with all the relevant benefits etc. At the time, for obvious reasons, we did not take this into consideration. About six weeks later Peter started his chemo treatment and while we were at the Oncology clinic in January 09, a colleague of our Nurse Specialist met him and asked him to sign some forms she had filled in for the Disability Living Allowance and for a Blue Badge. She couldn't say which rate he would be entitled to which ranged from Low, medium to high rate. This would be decided at a later stage. She also asked if I worked, I said no and she told me I would probably quality for Carer's Allowance if Peter was awarded a medium to high rate DLA.
He had his operation on 15th April 09 which left him with a Hartmanns resection and a permanent colostomy. Some liver mets were also found and now he is on a more aggressive course of chemo with a view to a hopeful liver resection? A fortnight ago he received his High Rate Mobility allowance of £49.10 and High Rate Personal Care allowance of £70.35 per week, backdated to April 4th. Yesterday he received his Blue Badge. On the 7th May I applied for the Carer's Allowance and received that yesterday, backdated to 6th April. Apparently we can now claim a Council Tax Benefit, I did try to download the form but had trouble with it, not only that I found it quite difficult to understand so will leave it a while until I have spoken to the Council themselves.
Carer's Allowance is awarded to people under Pensionable age, after that it is Attendance Allowance.
The High Rate Mobility Allowance enables him to lease a car on Mobility. This £49.10 will be paid to the garage instead of him every week and means he has 3 years worth of free comprehensive car insurance, car tax, RAC Recovery, windscreen cover, tyres and servicing. A huge worry off our minds regarding transport!
I believe there are many other benefits out there for the younger cancer sufferers regarding work and it is well worth looking into as we all need financial help at a time like this.
You and all your families have worked hard and paid taxes for these benefits, so please don't let it pass you by.
Cherryl and Peter
FormerMember
I remember you on Deal or No Deal. I still watch it sometimes. it is a fascinating concept.
I know I've banged on about it on the other thread but why am I not entitled to anything? My Mac nurse says I am too well. I was working thru the chemo but obviously I am not now as I have had the bowel and liver done together. I still have a lung met and I would appreciate a blue badge as parking is a nightmare in London. i can walk ok but carrying anything is difficult. Do you think that my condition is temporary as i should recover from this op but then I'm on chemo again?
Should I just download the forms and send them in? It makes me a bit cross, I'm a private patient, not because I'm rich or I want special treatment but because I am very frightened of hospitals and you get more time and a private room if you are private but you get no help such as counselling or rights issues, nothing at all. I should point out that I pay for my treatment and I also pay taxes like everyone else so I pay twice and get less.
I wish I could do something to help get you some sort of benefit but I don't know how things are worked in England..by this I mean because we live in Wales everything we have, I believe, is organised via our Welsh Assembly.
As I have already stated, these benefits were suggested to Peter on the day he was given his dreadful results, last October. He was given the 'filled in forms' by the Cancer Care Cymru staff for signing in January. Had his op in April but hadn't heard any more about it, in fact we had forgotten about it, for obvious reasons. A week after the op they contacted us to say they had readmitted the application and as things had altered since the first form they would now be paying him the allowance. I guess this is because he now has a permanent colostomy rather than a temporary one. Also he has more chemo to come, like yourself, They are not discussing surgery at the moment but hopefully he will have a liver op at some point.
Who knows what the reasoning is for paying one person and not another? I can only suggest you download the forms for DLA and Blue Badge and then contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau. They will probably give you some pointers in filling it in, or maybe where next to go. I think your GP could possibly back up your medical statements. There must be someone out there can help you. Or is it perhaps you are going for the wrong benefits because you are, at some time, going to return to work? Have you looked at the Government website? Peter has had to finish his part time job because it was lifting and carrying and travelling around the Country which is not going to be possible, for a very long time, if ever because of the toilet situation.
It is a big relief to know that you can have treatment quickly due to private health insurance but they are not very good at the aftercare, financially. I hope you find some help out there. Have you spoken to any of the Macmillan people, have they any suggestions. Hope something can be done to help.
Peter has just pointed out that DLA is paid by the Department of Works and Pensions and has nothing to do with us living in Wales, with our own policies or anything. Have a look at the DWP site!
Thanks for your comments. I don't want to tell lies but I am going to fill in the blue badge forms and see what happens. I am still technically working but am sick post operatively. I did mean to retire in July ( I will be 62 ) but I'm not sure what to do now. I will talk to the Mac people on Tuesday.
I don't begrudge anyone who does get benefits, good luck to them.
