Financial Support

My brother has received a terminal diagnosis and can no longer work. He applied for PIP but despite being in constant pain, suffering chronic anxiety and confusion, depression, stress, loss of vision, severe diarrhoea and vomiting on a regular basis, he was awarded the lowest rate of £60 per week. This now causes additional unnecessary stress to a man struggling with his diagnosis and fighting to survive. He loves his family dearly and is struggling to survive financially. He has been in touch with the local MacMillan nurse to see what he might be entitled to but there was nothing forthcoming. Does anyone know of any charity he could contact who could provide useful information on his entitlements or where he might find financial support.

  • Who filled in the pip form?  As with any form relating to benefits, it's all in the wording. There will be places local to your brother that will help filling these in.

    you can be in the worst state possible, but the system being what it is, you get penalised for your version of the truth, not what they are needing to hear/read. Plus most of these benefits have appeals attached to them. Assuming you haven't taken this course of action yet, do not accept the first verdict you are given.

    However, all that said, the entire thing is set up to reward those who know the system, and penalise those who need the system. It's always been like this. Do seek out something local that will help you refill this form in, or help with any appeal.

  • Hello, I'm caring for my ex husband, terminal pancreatic cancer. I contacted a macmillan nurse when he was initially in hospital. She immediately referred me to their dedicated team - macmillan welfare benefits. I spoke to them. They knew what he was entitled to. Asked a few questions, and filled out the forms for me. It was only that he was in hospital for two months and had to be applied for once he had left. He receives universal credit too. 
    Take care x 

  • ProfBaw, thank you so much for your reply. I am in Dublin and my brother is in Wales so being unfamiliar with the Welsh system, I feel totally helpless. As far as I am aware his partner filled in the original application and then an assessment was done over the phone but the correspondence received giving the reasons for the decision bore no resemblance to the information given by my brother, nor could they actually see the state he is in. All very unfair and totally fits with what you have said about the system and knowing how to play it. 

    I asked about the appeal process but there was no information alluding to that on the letter but it did indicate you could re-apply if your situation worsened. I have urged them to re-apply now. 

    To make matters worse, his partner is not getting any carer's benefit because she has her own business running a tiny shop which ordinarily barely survives but now provides no income because she can't go to work because she is at home caring for my brother. A complete shambles...

    I will definitely try and find someone locally to try and help.

    Thanks again for your reply.

  • Justmenow, 

    Thank you for your reply, the information you give is very useful. 

  • Hi I'm sue, def ask McMillan nurses to fill the forms for you, they've been doing mine for 8yrs & I haven't had any problem with pip

  • We will definitely try that suesue25. Thank you so much for your reply. 

  • Hello,

             MAGGIES  have financial advisors that can help as well,just look them up on the internet to find helpline or local centre,

                                           hope you get this sorted,

                                                                                          David

                                                                                     

  • As others have said, both MacMillans and Maggies should be able to help. The MacMillan nurse should have referred you to their specialist welfare advice team. 
    When I applied for PIP there was a fasttrack process which only they could access. 
    You can access them via phone see www.macmillan.org.uk/.../welfare-rights-advice


    Good luck

    Dave

  • Thank you for that David, I will definitely look up MAGGIES.

    Sue

  • Thank you so much for that Dave. It is very much appreciated. 

    Sue