Financial support: Im wondering where i... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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Financial support

Ewife profile image
18 Replies

Im wondering where i can go to find out if there is any financial support/relief available? Current situation is now that husband has deteriorated a lot since last september and is back on the transplant list, this time his prognosis is much worse.He is largely unable to work, but because it is his own business, its more complicated than usual. But as a result of his illness we are really feeling the pinch. I can't work either as i need to be around for him, and probably biggest help i can be is support him to keep the business from sinking.

Ewife

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Ewife profile image
Ewife
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18 Replies
AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

Contact Citizen's Advice Bureau, they should sit down with you and go through your circumstances to ascertain what you may be able to claim. Is he on Personal independence Payment? You'd maybe qualify for Carers Allowance if he's on PIP.

Our local council has a welfare rights, income maximization team to help with this sort of guidance - yours may hsve similar. Your local Carers Centre may also provide guidance.

I've had to resign from my voluntary post with the police plus put my self-employment on the back burner at the moment as I am now caring for hubby 24/7 as he needs round the clock care. It's not easy.

Katie

Ewife profile image
Ewife in reply toAyrshireK

Thank you.....i guess ill have to start digging around. We've not claimed anything yet, so its a new thing to understand.

I will ask the transplant team too.

Its difficult because he still has the odd good day where he manages to go to work for a few hours but its more because hes so worried about it and it takes all his strength. He lies in bed trying to run his staff from his phone😏

Rshc profile image
Rshc

we applied for and obtained full PIP (which is not means tested). I strongly urge you to get some support filling out the paperwork. We found a local charity who walked us through it and helped us word things truthfully but in such a way that really captured what we were going through. My partners PIP was awarded without need for medical or interview based on the detailed paperwork . Also once you have PIP you can apply for a blue badge which has been so helpful

Rshc profile image
Rshc in reply toRshc

The thing to remember is that when applying for PIP it’s the worst day you are claiming for, those days when he can’t get out of bed or to the bathroom without help.

Ewife profile image
Ewife in reply toRshc

Thank you....Thats helpful xx

Roy1955 profile image
Roy1955

If he is listed for transplant you could possibly apply for PIP under the special rules (terminal illness) You could also possibly apply for carers allowance.

Ewife profile image
Ewife in reply toRoy1955

Ok. I wondered about this, because he was given a statistic last week which was putting him in the terminal bracket. I know they dont normally do this, so i know he must be pretty bad now based on this. Its based on risk though, rather than slow decline, so the time left isnt categorically so many months, its more " the risk of dying in the next so many months is this %" (far, far too high btw)

I wonder how many transplantees get into gambling or extreme sports once the risks in life get smoothed out? I bet life suddenly seems terribly predictable after recovery....💁‍♀️

I shouldnt joke or make light of it, but last week was a rough one - and i sometimes feel dulled to all these difficult conversations. I think im a bit in denial, its not an option that he doesnt make it, as far as im concerned. Im going to fight tooth and nail for him until its completely out of my control.

Readlots profile image
Readlots in reply toEwife

Sometimes you have to go to dark humour to get you through. Don’t beat yourself up about the odd joke, especially not on here. Lots of good advice on here. PIP applications are fast streamed for terminal patients so do apply. Citizens Advice can help once you’ve got the form and there is lots of advice on their website. Don’t let the odd good day put you off, they look at whether he needs help more than 50% of the time. CA will als know about local welfare assistance schemes you might be eligible for and other benefits.

I’d also suggest contacting you local hospice. They can advise on all sorts of support available. DO NOT think of this as giving up on him, hospices are amazing places which focus on getting the best out of life

Roy1955 profile image
Roy1955 in reply toEwife

turn2us.org.uk/

Check this out for advice

Readlots profile image
Readlots in reply toRoy1955

Their tool is fab- will identify other benefits you qualify for. Good shout Roy

BritishLiverTrust11 profile image
BritishLiverTrust11Moderator

Hello

In addition to comments from other forum members, here is a link to our website with information about money advice which you may find helpful:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

RugbyMama profile image
RugbyMama

Hello,

More tricky because your husband runs his own business rather than being an employee (I presume not an employee)?

Check your mortgage to see if you have critical illness or income protection.

As others have said, PIP application, which will allow you to potentially get carers allowance. The PIP form is hard but as others have said you have to approach it as what he can't do rather than what he can do. So instead of "on a good day he can do a few hours work" it's "he cannot fulfil his normal days or hours of work". Consider the amount of care you need to provide to him, especially if the care needed falls overnight or means that your husband cannot do basic things for himself e.g. make a meal, take medication, go to an appointment; stuff we would take for granted.

Macaronlove profile image
Macaronlove in reply toRugbyMama

I think you people should look into volunteering for citizens advice. I do it remotely

RugbyMama profile image
RugbyMama in reply toMacaronlove

I take that as a real compliment - thank you! Unfortunately, between a full time job, 2 teenagers, husband with health issues and preparing to start my masters later this year, there is little time for anything else but it's definitely something I'll look into in future!

Macaronlove profile image
Macaronlove

this advice is perfect. I advise for citizens advice on a voluntary basis. Best wishes

Ewife profile image
Ewife

Thank you everyone - for the ongoing support too as well as financial advice 🤗

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toEwife

Hi Ewife ,I'm sorry to hear about hubby 😞, obviously not the news you wanted .

I do hope you are taking care of yourself too during this difficult time.

Hope you manage to get financial support.

Sending you both my very best wishes

Linda xx

Ewife profile image
Ewife in reply toMillie09

Thank you Linda xx

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