Can anyone help? I'm desperate.

[macsgirluk]

I am unemployed. I can't claim JSA, I have been unable to find a job, I have no income. My husband is now in Intensive care. He may or may not recover. He can't receive benefits whilst in hospital. We have a small pension of £295 per month and nothing else to live on. Any ideas? How am I supposed to pay the utility bills? Eat? Visit him in hospital?
Any ideas would help.

[Mamyalynne]

That is your total income per month as a couple?? Who has told you that you cannot claim anything??

[boxtops]

How old are you, macsgirl? surely you are entitled either to income support or pension credit? might this help? http://www.adviceguid..._-_income_support.htm

[NOX]

First stop go to jobcentre plus and ask for a crisis loan form- don't need to be on benefits to get one anyone can apply- then get an appointment with a benefits advisor so you can thrash out your whole financial situation.

[wolf63]

A crisis loan will only be payable if no benefits are payable or due to be paid.

Being in hospital doesn't automatically mean that your husband won't get benefits. You do need to get some guidance as to what you may be entitled to.

You say that you 'can't' claim JSA and not that you have claimed it and been disallowed. Why can't you claim it

There is so much information that we don't have to enable anyone to give you more than general advice. As NOX says get in touch with JSA people and/or the CAB.

You may be able to get help to visit your husband - but it is a long time since I had to deal with that part of the welfare type system and my knowledge is not so good - neither is my memory.

Good luck to both of you

[NOX]

Crisis loan info here:-

http://www.direct.gov...ow_income/DG_10018856

[wolf63]

NOX - the rules for crisis loans may have changed since I had dealings with them but the first thing that they will look at is if any benefits are due and if not then they will consider it.

Whatever - we don't have the full picture and your suggestion of going to JSA is a good start. The CAB are usually excellent too.

[NOX]

I think actually Wolf they will pay when there is need irrespective of benefits being due or not- they even sometimes pay crisis loans for lost or stolen giros in the interim- I know bc I mentor kids with issues and it happens from time to time.

[wolf63]

Many moons ago I was a Social Fund worker - pre 2003.

Granted our team adhered to the regulations strictly but our first stage was to consider why the person is without funds and what steps have they taken to prevent the situation. It may be that the regulations have changed but if so they won't have changed by much.

corbyloon is our resident expert. I got out at age 40 after 24years.

[macsgirluk]

Thank you. I have a request in for an appointment with my local CAB. I 'can't' claim JSA as I was employed only part time in my last job and wasn't paying full stamp so can't claim contributory JSA. Income based JSA is cancelled out by the £68 per week we get from my husband's small pension. The benefit system will help a lot if he is ever able to come home as he will be entitled to ESA and DLA once out of hospital and I may be able to claim as a carer, but non of those can be paid whilst he is a patient. We are both 60. I have to wait until I am 62 for my pension. My husband will probably not get his as he has cancer. It is a complication of his chemotherapy that has resulted in him being so ill. They have told us that he will not be able to have any more. It seems that there is no support for a person in my place.

[evedawn]

Oh my macsgirl. I can't give advice but I can say that I feel so sad for you:( I can't believe that u r having to deal with trying desperately to get funds when surely all of ur heart just wants to be spending time with ur husband. So sorry for u.

[Euphemia]

Have you been in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support?

[macsgirluk]

I have Euphemia. They are lovely but they can only tell you what the rules are and make sure you are claiming all you are entitled to. The cancer nurse at our local hospital has said she will put in a request for a one off grant and that will really help, but it will be a small amount and you can only claim once. I find it hard to believe that there is no provision for a spouse with a partner in hospital like this. Everyone agrees, everyone says it's strange but that seems to be the way it is. I wonder if EDF Energy, ASDA etc will be as sympathetic when it comes to me using electric or doing my shopping?