Benefits question

Hello Clare (Clarebryan62) 

Our very own Steve (mstev2) may know the answer to this - if not he will know a man who will so I have "tagged" him to this post - he will be along when he sees the tag.

In the meanwhile if you telephone our support line on 0808 808 00 00 (9am to 6pm Monday to Friday) and ask to speak to a Financial Expert they should be able to help you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank Brian I’m currently on the online chat room with them 

Hi Clare,

I hope you got the right advice from Citizens Advice online chat room, but I'll give you an excerpt from my own research, and we will see if it matches. 

There is be a possibility of a quick change if you are starting radiotherapy BUT it depends on you already having health problems registered with the DWP.

The way that process works is shown on my this page which I hope they have already discussed with you:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/if-youre-sick-or-disabled/

Please check this section:

Check if you can get LCW or LCWRA automatically

You still have to make the request, but you should find it can be granted without the medical exam. It is possible that you will be granted the LCWRA, which DOES contain extra money.

Macmillan have a pretty handy page on this issue here: 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/benefits-and-financial-support/universal-credit/how-to-claim

You will often find that Citizens Advice is good for the "this is how you do it" information, and then organizations like Macmillan Cancer Support are really good at giving the angle of that particular illness.

If you end up having to fit in forms I would strongly recommend that you seek help from your local Citizens Advice to do this, because there is an art to it.

Hopefully the Citizens Advice webchat came up with more and better information than I have been able to, but if you have any other questions that I might be able to answer please let me know. 

Best wishes,

Steve

Hi Steve yes we already claim universal credit under MH Bryan also gets pip for this too we currently are waiting back on a health assessment review we filled in before Bryan got his horrible diagnosis of cancer we did put on the form that it was suspected cancer but couldn’t say for definite so couldn’t fill the form out on the back I’ve finally got thew to a decent person who at least knows of what she’s doing gave me a number for the assessment service and now been told we need to supply evidence of Bryan’s cancer but we currently don’t have this phoned hospital today and there going to sort a letter out and was told by the assessment service as u stated that he probs wouldn’t have to have a assessment thanks x

Excellent.

Let us know if there any problems.

Wish you well,

Steve.