Well here's the story and problem !!
Hope someone can help!!
After beating breast cancer in 2009 my mrs,(partner for 17 years) and I have had the devastating news that she now has secondary breast cancer which has spread in to her bones and will eventually take her from us
She was working until recently when the pain in her bones got too much, and had to stop work, on the advice of her GP
She has good days and bad days, some days she can hardly move about and others minimal pain with good movement.
We enquired through McMillan weather she would be entitled to any benefits and was told that they don't think so even though she can't work they were of no help and only sent a 60 odd page leaflet. I have a small company that only employs 2 people including myself and my income has come down significantly due to me having to take time off work to care for her approx 25k income at present which will further decrease the more time I have to take off not to mention the long term effect this will have on the company to be able to keep paying me.
I have looked at DLA but the criteria seems ridiculous as she can still wash herself and make herself a sandwich I don't think she is eligible
The only help I seem to be able to find is when a government doctor deems she only has 6 months to live which seems really awful, but I understand there have to be rules.
Am I missing anything here? is this really right that she cannot claim for anything? We have never claimed from the social system even though we have paid in over £150k over the years and now is the time we need a bit of help
Can anyone offer some advice
On another issue with this she has a private pension which isn't worth much (8k pot at present) because she is only 45 the pension company say that she is not entitled to unlock it until she's 55!! Even though she has a terminal illness.
Is there any way or can someone suggest how she can unlock it after all it's her money and she may as well enjoy it as much as she can in the time available to her.
We have no children at home anymore they are all grown up and independent
Thanks
Andy
Hope someone can help!!
After beating breast cancer in 2009 my mrs,(partner for 17 years) and I have had the devastating news that she now has secondary breast cancer which has spread in to her bones and will eventually take her from us
She was working until recently when the pain in her bones got too much, and had to stop work, on the advice of her GP
She has good days and bad days, some days she can hardly move about and others minimal pain with good movement.
We enquired through McMillan weather she would be entitled to any benefits and was told that they don't think so even though she can't work they were of no help and only sent a 60 odd page leaflet. I have a small company that only employs 2 people including myself and my income has come down significantly due to me having to take time off work to care for her approx 25k income at present which will further decrease the more time I have to take off not to mention the long term effect this will have on the company to be able to keep paying me.
I have looked at DLA but the criteria seems ridiculous as she can still wash herself and make herself a sandwich I don't think she is eligible
The only help I seem to be able to find is when a government doctor deems she only has 6 months to live which seems really awful, but I understand there have to be rules.
Am I missing anything here? is this really right that she cannot claim for anything? We have never claimed from the social system even though we have paid in over £150k over the years and now is the time we need a bit of help
Can anyone offer some advice
On another issue with this she has a private pension which isn't worth much (8k pot at present) because she is only 45 the pension company say that she is not entitled to unlock it until she's 55!! Even though she has a terminal illness.
Is there any way or can someone suggest how she can unlock it after all it's her money and she may as well enjoy it as much as she can in the time available to her.
We have no children at home anymore they are all grown up and independent
Thanks
Andy