Michelle

I also know of people getting every benefit they can lay their hands on. Most of them have nothing or very minor problems which would not stop them from working but they know how to play the system and they get away with it.

If you are honest and answer them truthfully you are the one's which suffer, its a sad world we live in.

Sue

Dave & Sue

Can I just say that you do not have to be sick for 26 weeks to get Income Support and it does open the doors to other forms of help such as Housing Benefit, Community Charge Benefit, NHS costs including travelling costs to hospital. It may, depending on your circumstances, be paid in addition to other benefits as wel (if you receive cetain benefits the Income Support rate is higher).

The benefit system is complicated and if you're not sure you should ask. I would hope that DWP staff give you good advice but go to the Citizens Advice Bureaux if you want a second opinion.

Michelle
I couldn't agree with you more! I had a couple living opposite me, who never done a days work, had a fancy car and all the designer clothes and yet were claiming all these benefits.I have always worked,got two children and a mortgage going through cancer treatment and get my money stopped,have to go to a tribunal and answer totally irrelavant questions which have no baring on my illness,to try and prove I am too ill to work, the system is WRONG.I was fortunate I had the help of my family and the MacMillan trust, surely the fact that you are a cancer patient is proof enough!!!!

Tracey

When I had to give up work through illness,I had no idea what I was entitled to as I had never had to claim before.Also I wasn't in the right frame of mind for filling in forms. I fortunately had family who enquired for me.When asked why I had not been told what I was entitled too my Father was told it is on a need to know basis, they don't volunteer information
It is so true that the honest hard working people pay the price because they don't know how to 'work' the system, it really makes my blood boil, lets hope we can help make the government see sense and help cancer patients rather than give them unnessesary worry about where their next penny is coming from.

Tracey

Plodder,
Income support is only viable if you dont have a job! Not if you DO have a job but are sick!

I've mentioned on here about a man that came into work, saying that when you retire all the days merge into one. I replied that i know what he meant, as i had the same when i was off sick for 3 months. He looked me up and down and in a sarcastic tone said "aaaa... poor you. Do you want a bunch of flowers or something?" I was shocked and fired back - "no thank you, i got plenty of flowers when i was in hospital recovering from my cancer treatment!"
Everyone knows there are far too many benefit cheats out there, and then assume the worst of people like me who genuinely needed help!

Chelle

Strictly speaking that isn't the case. Income Support can't be paid to anyone in remunerative work. However if you are sick and your sick pay has run out you could claim.

The Benefit system is complex and probably the last thing you want to have to deal with when you're not well, but you could be missing out on help if you don't try. There is a free phone Benefit Enquiry line 0800 88 22 00 for general advice.

Also if anyone wants to report a benefit fraud, they can ring 0800 854 440

Chelle, You are still entiltled to DLA if working or not it is NOT means tested.You dont need to be recieving the help just need it.

Paul

hi paul
i am still waiting for a decision on DLA since i applied in august. i have already gone on to half pay at work and it finishes altogether in december who makes these decisions
bev x

Hi Bev, Unfortunatly they take a long time usually 6 weeks or more but it will be backdated to when you claimed.

Paul

hi paul
i got turned down for DLA but i have put in an appeal i expect i will have to wait another 3 months
bev

Bev
I also got turned down for DLA,I don't know what sort of illness you need to have!!At my worst I couldn't go up or down stairs unaided,my husband had to help me in and out the bath and I couldn't walk any distance because I was so weak and the medication I was on made me feel like a zombie.
I personally think that any person going throught cancer treatment should get DLA, even for a little while.I don't know about the rest of you,but I couldn't face the pages and pages of forms. I had more serious issues to deal with,I didn't have the strength.
I feel really strongly about this,and hope something can be done to change the system,cancer isn't something you 'put on'so there should be no question that these people are entitled to every help during their illness.
Best wishes
Tracey

Hello Tracey

Was at Britain Against Cancer 2007 with John S and Ray Y. At BAC2007, I asked 2 questions to Prof Mike Richards, after thanking him about his presentation of the Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS) (good things - see link below), about HPV vaccine for boys too and problems cancer patients were having with getting patient financial support. Also met key people from Cancer Research UK and Macmillan to make sure H&N cancer patients (through MCF) are represented as stakeholders in the workshop/ meetings on survivor network and support issues planned in Feb and March 2008 as part of the CRS implementation process. The Cancer Reform Strategy mentions financial support for patients and carers as areas for improvement. It is available to read at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publi...ndGuidance/dh_081006

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Bev I am glad your going to Appeal and remebmer its the help you need not the help you actually get and if need be repeat on each question the pain and suffeirng you feel

good luck let me know

Paul

paul i will let you know how my appeal goes it is going back to last august if i loose appeal i will go to a tibunal with my welfare rights officer /cancer care
love bevx

Hi Bev, Well im amazed you getting help from WRO/cancer care when I was first diagnosed and wanted to know what to do about benefits I emmailed the Cancer organisations so many times and never got a reply from one of them.


Paul