People with lung cancer may experience financial hardship, and are usually entitled to one or more government benefits, such as Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance (which has replaced Incapacity Benefit), Disability Living Allowance or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. (For more help see 'Organisations' listed in the 'Resources and Information' section, Directgov the DSS Benefit Enquiry Line is 0800 88 2200 and Citizen's Advice Bureau).
Statutory sick pay is usually paid during the first 28 weeks of sickness (not paid for the first 3 days) to people who earn more than the minimum (£97 per week in 2010). For current rates see Directgov.
One man found Statutory Sick Pay inadequate. After 28 weeks he claimed Incapacity Benefit (now Employment and Support Allowance) and he described the forms that he had to complete as 'absolutely horrendous'. Many people thought it was unfair that they had regularly paid their taxes yet found it so hard to obtain benefits.
Employment and Support Allowance is usually claimed after Statutory Sick Pay has stopped. In order for a person to qualify for Employment and Support Allowance Incapacity Benefit a Work Capability Assessment needs to be carried out.
Directgov explains what this involves:
“After your initial claim for Employment and Support Allowance, you have to complete a questionnaire about how your illness or disability affects your ability to complete everyday tasks.
Your own doctor may be asked to provide a medical report.
An approved healthcare professional will consider the questionnaire and any medical reports, along with any other information you may have provided.
If the approved healthcare professional feels that the DWP will need more information to make a decision on your benefit claim, they will recommend that you attend a face-to-face medical assessment.”
People under the age of 65 who need care and attention may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance (Care Component) . Those over the age of 65 may claim Attendance Allowance. People living alone who cannot look after themselves because of pain or fatigue may also qualify for both benefits. Special rules for people who are terminally ill mean they are entitled to claim both these benefits even if they do not need help with looking after themselves. The DS1500 Report Form may be used to support a claim for these benefits. A doctor has to complete a DS1500 Report Form. This form is used to support a claim when a person has a progressive disease and is not expected to live longer than six months.
One woman said that a Macmillan nurse helped her fill in the forms for the Disability Living Allowance. She received the money after a couple of months, backdated from the day the claim was made.
People need to know about Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance and to claim as soon as the diagnosis of lung cancer is made, because there is no legal right for these benefits to be backdated. They can only be backdated at the discretion of the Benefits Office.
One man, diagnosed in 2002, argued that there should be more financial advice for people with lung cancer. Although many got advice from their doctors and nurses, others had little help. One man obtained benefits with the help of a Macmillan nurse and a Welfare Rights Officer from the city council. Macmillan also gave him a small grant to help him cover expenses.
People under 65 who have difficulty walking can also claim Disability Living Allowance (Mobility Component).. One man applied for this benefit and was initially told he wasn't eligible. He appealed to a tribunal and won his appeal. He used the extra money to help pay for his car so that he could go shopping.
People who receive the Disability Living Allowance (Mobility Component) can also apply for a disabled badge for parking (Blue Badge Scheme). There is also a voluntary organisation (Motability), which helps people gain access to a car.
People with mesothelioma are entitled to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if they can demonstrate that they were in contact with asbestos during the course of their paid employment after July 1948 or during military service. It may also be possible to claim a Lump Sum Payment from the government or personal injury compensation from an employer.
One man with mesothelioma found the Benefits Agency unhelpful. He advised others to try to talk directly to the head of the department His car, which he obtained through a charity (Motability) which had been a godsend. Another man obtained compensation with help from a support group (for more advice see Macmillan Cancer Support).
Other benefits, not discussed here, may be available to those with lung cancer see Directgov for more details. When claiming benefits it is best to put enquiries in writing, and to keep a copy.
Last reviewed May 2010.
Last updated May 2010.
