If anyone could give me some advice.. Been diagnosed with cancer..

[littlekelba]

Ive jsut been diagnosed with cancer, I am self employed and my doctor has said not to take on any work and cancel all commitments as Im going to need a lot of treatment over the next few months.

I dont know what to do. Ive contacted all clients and let them know..

I get working tax credits and child tax credits. Should I jsut leave it at this and use savings to get by? Ive been told to claim housing benefit which should cover my biggest outgoing which is rent - but I just dont really know where to start or what to do..

Any advice appreciated - thanks

Sorry you're going through this. Can I suggest you talk to Macmillan? From family experience they can be very helpful on all sorts of financial things, from benefits advice to grants for help with daily costs.

Thanks, Ive just looked on macmillan's website.. There seems to be lots of info on there. I will try and sit down and go through it today.. Thanks

Do you have criticak illness cover ? If you do then many cancers are covered by the policy and you should make a claim on it. Alot of people think that you can only claim if you are terminal. This isn't the case, most are covered except very early stage ones such as insitu cancers.

That should be critical illness cover

I agree - phone Macmillan - they have welfare rights advisers who can tell you about benefits. You can apply for a grant, or you can discuss your diagnosis and treatment with nurses.

they can also advise you on what your employers should be doing.

sorry you're going through this. My stepfather is too, and has found Macmillan really useful.

oops sorry, just saw you are self-employed.

Sorry to hear this littlekelba Have a look to see if you have critical illness - i received a full mortgage pay out a few months after I was diagnosed, which was an immense help and relief. My diagnosis wasn't terminal.

Macmillan are great at offering advice and support with regards to finances. It is a pain having to fill in lots of forms, have you got someone to help you with them? Also speak to them regarding childcare costs etc. you may be entitled to more tax credits if you are having to pay for childcare whilst receiving treatment.

As you are self employed you will be able to get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You should also get to keep your WTC for a time as well.

You can start to claim ESA by telephoning Jobcentre Plus on: 0800 055 6688

check whether your hospital has someone to talk this sort of thing through - my mum is a financial/benefits adviser at a specialist cancer hospital, she's based in the social work dept. If you can find someone like my mum she can negotiate with companies for you, help you apply for grants etc.

You can get Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit, free prescriptions, dental, eye care will then follow once you are on any of these benefits. You can also get your transport to hospital costs reimbursed if you are on certain benefits.

Should Housing Benefit not cover all your rent, you can apply for extra rent payments which are discretionary.

I really do wish you well...

I vote McMillan too for excellent assistance. Also your Oncology Care Team should have a patient welfare officer who can help steer you through the maze.

I was diagnosed with cancer in July and second speaking to macmillan. I am currently claiming ESA which is really helpful. Also you can get free prescriptions for 5 years so make sure you speak to your gp about that.