Universal credit

Hi Benji79 and welcome to the Online Community but I am sorry to hear about your diagnoses.

The cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but reaching out to the community will give you the opportunity to ask questions and getting support from others who are navigating the ‘exact’ same journey.

The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend consider joining our supportive Living with incurable cancer - incurable patients only (Please join the group but this will then have to be approved by the Macmillan Community Team so will not happen immediately) support group. This is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis to ask questions and get support from people who understand.

To join a group first click on the “Bold Link” I have created above then once the group page opens click on “Click to Join” when the black banner appears or “Join” under “Group Tools” (this all depends on the device you are using)

You can then put up your own post when you’re ready by clicking “+new” or “+” in the top right next to the group title. You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

I have no real experience with regards to this specific interview but to ensure that you are getting all the financial help you can get and get a clear answer to your question do call our Support Line teams who are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00, email or live webchat where you will find one of team there to help you out.

We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.

Do get back to me if you need further help.

Hi Benji, I do believe you will need to attend an appointment at Universal Credit, where you will show your documents, will explain your circumstances and where I guess you will be awarded on the way. In case you have to apply at their computer there are kind and supportive people around to help you. I was awarded the PIP enhanced rate, and I can see you have applied. Once you are awarded the PIP (a doctor will call you to chat with you about your situation and then another call to confirm your award) you can claim for Carer’s Allowance in case you have a relative, as partner, etc who carers of you at least 35 h a week or more. Then, you can let know in your Universal credit journal that you have applied for Carer’s allo and they will add the care’s element which lift up your award. They also will include the element LWC or LWCRA, relating your capability for working, if they don’t you can leave a message for your work coach in your UC journal. Also, you could send a letter or email to your council where you could explain your circumstances and apply for Council tax reduction and housing benefit. Those help so much. I applied to everything and thanks God I was awarded. Even applied for a blue badge and vehicle tax exemption. Good luck, take care and don’t stop fighting. All these matters kept my mind in other place and helped me to be useful. Give a shout in case you have any question 

Thank you do much for your reply, I have been in contact with job centre plus this morning,they have confirmed receipt of my DS1500 and have declared I have limited work capacity. They have now cancelled my work focussed interview and stated I do not need to supply fit notes. They have also sent a copy to PIP, even though my local MacMillan cab centre has done this for me, I now have my blue badge thanks to my local MacMillan cab centre. Universal are re assessing my payments as declined previously. So the fight continues. Once again thank you so much for your reply.

You’re welcome Benji, here in Southampton you’re awarded a blue badge just with PIP enhanced rate (my case). And LCWRA is ‘higher’ than LCW as you don’t need to look for a job, until you get better. 

Many thanks for the information

Good Morning Benji79

Welcome to the Online Community. I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

I was working but on SSP when I was first having treatment. Like you I had always worked and it was new to me. I spoke to a Macmillan financial advisor who was really helpful and helped me navigate what I could claim. I called the main number to start with.

I was advised to claim universal credit and did so with the advisors support. To begin with I had to submit doctor's notes but after 3 months and another form I was put on LCWRA- this was also backdated for me. I did not have to attend interviews at the job centre at any point. I did have some phone appointments and then a visit at home from one of their advisors to show documents. 

Macmillan also advised me to claim PIP which I did so and I had another form to complete. It took around 3 months to come through. I had one short phone call from them. This was also back dated. The Macmillan financial advisor also explained about free prescriptions (I had to get a form signed by GP) and also told about council tax reduction. 

The advisor was able to put all my person details into a calculator and advise me of exact amounts that I would be entitled to and that helped take the worry about finances away so I could concentrate on my health. I was also given a grant from Macmillan which was invaluable at the time as finances take a while to be sorted. 

Hope that this helps

Jane

Hi Jane many thanks for the information, I now don't need to attend job focused interviews and my claim is being re assessed after being rejected as earning too much. My PIP application is being processed and I get messages every Friday stating still be assessed. For me it's about just having enough to not worry day to day and concentrate on my health.