Aibu toAsk for help please? Anyone work in CAb Or benefits? Very ill relative.

[Wildmamma]

My cousin is married to a terminally ill man . They hoped to care for him privately as a family at home. I think he gets dla and she carers allowance.
His mobility and pain levels have started to fluctuate and they are struggling but at present wont accept carers.
She is thinking of giving her job up to care for him .
They live in a rented house and must meet the rent costs.
Does anyone know what help she would get if she did this . ?
they are so tired I said i would ask as they are struggling to process info and choices.

My view was she should not give her job up but take compassionate leave .. but also , would she get any help to live / pay rent in this circumstance?

I think it is time for carers and nurses at home but at present rhey say no . And this is a bit of help I can at least give in addition to practical and emotional support.
thankyou .

Firstly, my sincerest condolences to your loved ones and to anyone else who are in this situation.

Firstly, the issue of giving up your job - is it still if you leave a job - no benefits for months?

I was lucky, in that the nurses in the hospital told me to speak to a particular lady within the welfare department in the hospital - she knew her stuff.

You have said that your cousin is terminally ill. Is it time to speak to the charities who offer, not just hospice care, but well informed information about the condition your cousin is living with, and any other help that the loved ones need, they really do try and help, or they gave an idea/ know where to guide you too.

Or is there (sorry to be so blunt) a section of the DSS that deals solely with terminal illness

I hope that the answers you need find you and your loved ones very soon.

She’s a carer. There will be no sanction for leaving job.

Assuming under pension age. Check out universal credit. They may well qualify even with her earnings.

www.betteroffcalculator.co.uk/calculator/new/step1

Compassionate leave is a really short term solution. In most companies it would be 5 days, anything over and above that would be sick leave or unpaid leave.

Long shot but does he have critical illness cover on life insurance?

Otherwise it would be benefits and there are special circumstances for people who have been advised that they have less than 6 months remaining www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/benefits-entitlements/benefits-social-care-system/special-rules

It depends on savings and age. Along with previous NI contributions either have paid.

If you can tell me how old they both are
Their combined savings
Employment in last three years. (If they worked and paid NI)
Current rate of DLA/Pip (standard rate/enhanced rate. Care/mobility)

Then I can give you a fairly good idea. And how to claim.
DM if you prefer.

DWP employee.

Icanthinkwhat
both late 50 s .

no savings .
thank you .

You are all so very kind .

Ask GP or A specialist nurse for DS1500 form and look up support for unpaid carers locally.

Macmillan have advice usually in local libraries and not just for cancer x

My view was she should not give her job up but take compassionate leave .

I'm an HCP and I would agree with you here. I would always encourage a relative to keep all their options open and speak to their employer. Often people can be given an unpaid sabbatical which can be up to a year.

Sorry I'm not a benefits expert so can't help with that but she should contact her local carers centre who can arrange for a benefits advisor.

If terminally ill, ask dr to complete ds1500form to fast track disability benefit on enhanced rates.

If not receiving any benefits currently (including housing benefit), then use turn2us or entitledto to check eligibility.

If give up work to have care responsibilities, UC is payable straight away. UC has housing element - is not housing benefit any more. Different calculations for council/ha and private rentals.

Also council tax support through local council.

Contact local hospice for local agency signposting.

(CA employee)

And your county council for adult social care. They will offer a care needs assessment.

When we went through similar as a family (cancer), support was non-existent until the GP did an end of life plan. Then all the support clicked into place - including not having to present at a&e when he had 'an episode'

Hi Wildmamma so sorry for the delay. Life got busy !

Universal credit claim (made on line) to cover rent, and basic allowance. This will include a health addiction and a carers premium.

If less than six months to live and not already on enhanced rate of care and mobility-then DS1500 from consultant for immediate two week processing.

Complete the answers in this calculator. It's pretty damn accurate.

benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

Any nonsense from the Jobcentre about waiting 12 weeks for a health assessment then you need to ask for the assistance of an 'advanced customer support adviser' . They are very senior civil servants especially employed for situations such as this.