Universal Credit and CLL

[Research123]

I am wondering what the situation is here for with Universal Credit and working in the UK if you are on watch and wait but get very tired very quickly and you have no income coming in - do doctors accept this and write a note saying you're not up to working or not regards it as sufficiently drastic a situation?

[Newdawn Administrator]

Specific to cancer, Macmillan can give benefit advice;

‘You can contact our Welfare Rights Advisers to find about the benefits and support you might be entitled to. Learn more about the different ways our advisers can you help you. You can call us free on 0808 808 00 00 (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 8am-5pm Saturday to Sunday).’

It’s a bit of an uphill battle demonstrating chronic fatigue but worth pursuing if you’re finding employment onerous. Remember you have automatic right to be considered eligible as a disabled person under the Equality Act 2010.

Newdawn

[JEEA]

Dear Research123

Universal credit and related benefits are quite complicated and New Dawn directing you to McMillan's Welfare Rights Advisers is very sound. CAB is also another port of call.

I have a friend who is on a sort of disability payment which is greater than Univeral Credit and also allows him to work up to 15 hours a week.

Basic Universal Credit is not a lot to live on, if you are eligible for it. I am wondering if you are currently in work, and if so, they would let you reduce your hours or find a way to accommodate your tiredness?

I am also wondering if this level of fatigue is new as I see that you have been on Watch and Wait since 2019. Have you shared this with your Haematology Consultant?

Let us know what happens. Eleanor

[Shefflass]

I am currently off sick from work with fatigue caused by CLL and Venetoclax. I discussed this with my haemotology consultant and specialist nurse. My consultant is happy to provide a 'fit note' (or sick note) as required. I didn't ask my GP as I think specialist CLL doctors are more aware of the fatigue we sometimes face. Regarding benefits. Indeed CAB is a great place to go. You could also ask DWP itself. There are a range of benefits. There is ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) (Contibutory) which is not means tested and for which you have to have paid relevant NI contributions. On top of this there is Universal Credit which is a means tested 'top up' benefit. In addition there are disabilty benefits such as PIP but this is only considered if your abilty to perform certain everyday tasks or mobilty are limited to quite an extent etc. You are automatically considered to have a disabilty under The Equality Act if you have any form of cancer but this does not mean you are automatically considered disabled for benefit puposes. I hope that helps. Good luck and hope you get something sorted out soon.