Advice please re taking a break from work to look after terminally ill relative

[helpconfused]

Hi I have posted this on the 'Life Limiting Illness' page but just adding here for traffic.

Has anyone given up or taken a break from work to look after a relative?
How do you go about financially supporting you both if neither has an income?
I am asking on behalf of a friend whose health isn't good, her DH is very unwell and she is still trying to work to keep money coming in. She is on the verge of falling apart.

Thank you

She needs to get some benefits advice. Has he been given a timescale? If he’s been given 6 months or less then he can be placed into the fast track pathway for some benefits. This could also help her if she had to give up work to become a carer. However it’s likely to be a massive drop in income.

Does the illness he has have any charities behind it that she could approach for advice?

Back in March 2016, I handed in my notice to do just that. The company I worked for would not allow me to take unpaid leave because it wasn't for a fixed time. Unfortunately, within weeks of me leaving work, I too was diagnosed with an incurable cancer so, did what I could but had to have carers coming in to look after both of us at times because I was at too much risk of infection doing some of the personal care and just felt too ill. The person I was caring for passed away 8 months later just as I finished my first 6 rounds of chemo.
I don't regret my decision though.

Thank you both, I know it is an emotional subject to speak about.

It’s so sad to hear about these situations .

You may wish to contact some charities that help people with the illness that your friend and her partner has . Basically the charities sometimes have in-house benefits advice for people suffering from various illnesses and or can signpost

Your local citizens advice beaureau could help too