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The Financial Guidance Service will not advise you on the merits of buying, selling, cancelling or making a claim on a specific financial product from any company or otherwise provide you with any regulated services. As a guidance service, we do not provide financial advice or carry on other activities that are regulated and we are not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. No part of our service constitutes, nor is intended to constitute, a financial promotion within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 nor an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity.

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I'm in a right mess and dont know where to turn

Former Member
Former Member
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I'm only in my early 40s but over the last 4 years I have had several colonoscopies and in total have had 27 polyps removed. There were all sorts of delays getting information during the pandemic however over the summer I was formally diagnosed with Sessile Serrated Polyposis Syndrome (SSPS) and am back on the waiting list to have a further exploratory colonoscopy and awaiting the results of genetic testing.

I hadn't fully shared the seriousness of this situation with my wife however we have since separated for other reasons and therefore I don't really have anyone to talk to about my fears and emotions. This is being compounded as I am going through a messy divorce, fighting to have shared custody of my two young children and am currently unemployed and living off savings.

My wife is being particularly vindictive and I fear that any disclosure to her about my condition or financial predicament will be used against me somehow in the child proceedings. I'm in a right mess and dont know where to turn.

I have spoken to my GP and he offered me anti-depressants which I’m not keen on taking but also suggested reaching out to a charity like yourselves for information and support. He said my condition is rare and untreatable and leads to colon cancer. I have to attend regular bowel screening and have pre-cancerous polyps removed every year so he suggested I might be considered to now be disabled and could claim benefits through universal credit.

I’ve never had to do anything like this before and really don’t know what I’m doing or where to start. I tried to enter my details for universal credit last night and have now been given an appointment at the jobcentre so I think I have done something wrong along the way.

Has anyone got any advice on how I make dwp aware of my situation please?

Thanks

  • Hello ,

     

    Thanks for getting in touch. I’m sorry to hear about your health issues and the current situation. Hopefully we can provide some support at this difficult time.

    As part of our Money and Work Team, we have a dedicated group of Welfare Rights Advisers. They can check if you’re entitled to any state benefits and can help to access other financial support, such as one-off grants. You can contact them on freephone 0808 808 0000 and they’re available weekdays 8am – 8pm and weekends 9am – 5pm. If you’d prefer you can also contact them via webchat here by selecting “Chat to us” and then the “Welfare Benefits & Grants” option.

    They will ask you for some financial details such as your household income, amount of any savings, cost of rent/mortgage, council tax and utilities just to see if any other help is available.

     

    We also have a dedicated group of Cancer Information Nurse Specialists who are here to answer any medical related questions. The team is staffed by a highly experienced group of fully trained nurses, who have access to the most up to date cancer information resources available.

    The Cancer Information Nurse Specialists can be contacted on 0808 808 0000. They are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm. If you’d prefer you can also contact them via webchat here by selecting “Chat to us”



    Just to clarify, the Financial Guidance Service can provide information and guidance on all aspects of your personal finances to help you make informed decisions in the following areas;

    Pensions and retirement options

    Questions about insurance policies

    Mortgages and money management

    Arranging wills and trusts to protect your family

    General financial planning questions



    If there is anything from the above list that you would like to discuss, please speak to us directly on the same number. To reach the Financial Guidance team just select options 1 then 2 then 1 again. Our team are available Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm. Alternatively you can also speak to us on Webchat too by clicking here

     

    Kind regards.

     

    Will Quinn

    Financial Guide

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