New cancer/CB ESA, ?UC?

Daughter's husband suddenly got a Stage 3/4 blood cancer, now on chemo and not working any more. Had only been in the job a short time. She gets [beside max PIP which I know is not means tested] contribution based ESA. They don't get any housing benefit or council tax benefit as they didn't qualify when he was earning. Macmillan wait even now booked, for financial/benefits advice is some weeks.

Please does anyone have pointers as to whether he should claim UC, what he would get, and what this would do to her precious CB ESA if he does. Including sections of B&W Guides, as I know nothing about UC being retired. Sadly where they live, advice local only gives an unreliable agency I won't name. There is only about a 60% five year survival rate, but if he does well he would like to go back to work one day. Statutory sick pay equals one day worth of what he used to earn a week in a kitchen. I can't see that he can claim PIP either because he hasn't yet hit the 3 month qualifying period and no one knows what nine months forward will bring, though I stand to be corrected about claiming PIP for cancer. The only thing they've got so far is a prescription exemption certificate. And by the grace of God a fair bank of mum and dad.

Suddenly she's gone from cared-for to carer, with nine meds including injections to give him. Money worries are the last thing they deserve, so I will appreciate guidance.

Worried Mum

Denny, so sorry to hear about your daughter’s husband. I’m sure you already have this info, but I’ll post anyway. It’s a brilliant site, with lots of support on all sorts of stuff.

How to contact a Macmillan advisor

Most people call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00 as it can be easier to discuss diagnosis, treatments or practical support in real time with a specialist.

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We know that there can be times that you might need information and support when the Macmillan Support Line is closed.

You can request a call back during our opening hours and we will call you back during these times.
Our Online Community forums are for people living with or affected by cancer to chat or ask questions. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can find lots of information written by our cancer information team on our website about diagnosis, treatments and the impacts of cancer

Thank you Gary and Bud. I'm very familiar with the Macmillan website as I've been on one of the forums for some years, nudging people who don't get offered the successful treatment which my OH had, to ask their drs if it would be good for them.
I had wondered about Turn2us, and will pass this on to daughter as I don't have all of their facts and figures. And the .gov one too.
But it's great news that the CB ESA won't be affected, just taken into account, as it's a better bet for her whatever the outcome.
Very many thanks,
Denby

Hello Denby,

So sorry to hear this news, and I just wanted to offer my sympathy to you and your family. I'm glad others were able to supply the info you needed because I don't have the knowledge to do that. I know there is some financial help available because my husband's friend was diagnosed with blood cancer a couple of years ago and he did get some benefits, despite having a small income from property, although he wasn't able to work for some time. He is now in remission and is working again, though not to the extent that he did before, and it was a long, hard road to recovery, but he is much better now, thank goodness. Hopefully, your son-in-law will also have a good outcome from his treatment.

Unfortunately, the Macmillan service seems to have been overwhelmed for a very long time now and can't offer the swift response they once did.

So many of us on the forum will be thinking of you.

Wendy