Macmillan Welfare and Benefits Service Case Study
William's story
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Phil Bremner, our Welfare and Benefits Adviser can help.
William was sadly diagnosed with lung cancer and met the ‘special rules’ criteria for benefits. He lived with his wife, Kate, in a 4-bedroomed, privately-rented house paying £1200 per month rent. He was a casual worker earning £3000 per month with overtime but had no employee benefits due to his casual status. Kate worked part time earning £400 per month. Whilst working, they had no problem paying the high rent and bills. They had no savings.
Sadly, when William was diagnosed with lung cancer he could no longer work and he wasn’t entitled to any sickness benefits from the company as they ended his contract when he started being sick and he didn’t wish to pursue this.
Paying the bills was now a real concern for William and Kate as the only money coming in was Kate’s wage of £400 per month which barely covered basic outgoings and they had no means to pay their rent. Moving was not an option for them.
- The Macmillan Welfare and Benefits Adviser, Phil, helped William and Kate with the online claim for Universal Credit, as they found the process of claiming online very daunting. Phil also submitted a request to the local council for Discretionary Housing Payment as even the maximum amount of Local Housing Allowance meant there would be a shortfall in rent of £700 per month. It was not appropriate to expect William to move house because of his terminal diagnosis and a case was made to the Council to reflect this.
- Phil also completed the claim form for Council Tax Benefit and submitted a request to Macmillan for a one-off grant to help pay towards the cost of energy bills, transport costs to get to Leeds for treatment and new clothes due to weight loss.
- A claim for Personal Independence Payment was completed; when awarded this enabled Phil to submit a Carer’s Allowance claim form for Kate as her earnings were below the threshold.
- Phil submitted a request to the Local Council for a fast track blue badge form.
The results of all these were followed through so all benefits were maximised and the following awarded resulting in payments of £650 per week:
- Personal Independence Payment of £156.90 per week.
- Carer’s Allowance of £69.70 per week
- Universal Credit of £262 per week (£1138 per month)
- Discretionary Housing Payment of £161 per week (£700 per month)
- Macmillan Grant of £350.00
Benefits adviser is very helpful.
Had help with benefits and awareness of support services. Benefits adviser was excellent, professional and a great sense of humour.
So helpful, did not have to look for the help, it was offered.
Prompt and made simple
Extremely helpful
Difference it’s made is incredible
Took a lot of worry off my mind, made life a lot easier.
Service was second to none.
Took a lot of stress away from me and he made a process easy that I never considered I would qualify for.
Excellent service- took it out of our hands.
Really helpful, prevented a lot of stress.
Very good, understands everything. Easy to talk to.
Fantastic, so so useful when you are not very well.
Nice that there is someone to help you with financial things.
Highly proactive, thoroughly professional and a guiding light.
Invaluable. Made such a difference.
Superb, marvellous. Weight off me.
Pressure taken off by Phil. Helped to sleep at night.
Most human individual to work with. Puts you at ease. 5* service.
Happy – all happened quickly, taken out of my hands.