Financial support if you have, or had, a brain tumour

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit to help with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not on the condition itself.

PIP is gradually replacing the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for new claimants between the ages of 16 to 64. (If you are already receiving DLA you will be invited by the DWP [Department of Work and Pensions] or the Department for Communities [in N Ireland] to apply for PIP. You don’t have to do anything until the DWP/PIP centre writes to you.)

PIP is paid at different rates depending on your individual circumstances. The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not on the condition itself.

To get PIP, you must need help with everyday tasks (such as cooking, washing or dressing) or getting around – or both. You must have needed this help for at least 3 months and expect to need it for at least another 9 months.

You must also have lived in the UK for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be living in the UK when you claim. PIP is made up of two components – the ‘daily living component’ and the ‘mobility component’. It is possible to receive one or both parts, depending on the outcome of your assessment.

PIP is made up of two parts or components (it is possible to get both parts, depending on the result of your assessment):

Daily living component (given to people who have difficulties with everyday tasks, such as cooking, washing or dressing)

• Enhanced rate
• Standard rate

Mobility component (given to people who have difficulties walking or getting around)

• Enhanced rate
• Standard rate

Claims can still be made for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children under the age of 16. Rates paid are dependent upon the level of difficulty the child faces with getting around, including if they need supervision when they are out, and/or the amount of care they require.

People aged 65 or over can apply for Attendance Allowance.

Understanding the PIP process

ESA replaced Incapacity Benefit in January 2011. ESA provides financial support to those who are either not able to work because of an illness or disability and are not entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP), or who are limited in the work they are able to do.

You can apply for ESA if you are employed, self-employed or unemployed. There are two phases to an ESA claim:

• assessment phase
• main phase.

Assessment phase

The assessment phase is meant to last for 13 weeks, but in practice it can last longer. During this time you will be expected to undergo a work capability assessment to see how your illness or disability affects your ability to work or carry out work-related activities.

In this phase, you are paid at a basic assessment rate depending on whether you are over or under 25 years old.

At the end of the assessment phase, a decision will be made about whether you are eligible for ESA. If you are eligible, you will the enter the main phase.

Main phase

If you are enter the main phase, you will then be grouped into one of two groups:

• Work-related activity group – where your assessment shows that you are not currently able to work, but are likely to become able to do some sort of work in the future. You will be given support to help you prepare for work.
• Support group – where your assessment indicates that your illness or disability affects you to such an extent that you are not able to work (though you may wish to carry out some voluntary work).

In some circumstances, certain premiums may be paid on top.

This section applies to England only. Prescriptions in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are free.

Certain circumstances entitle you to free prescriptions. These include a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person, or someone who, in the judgement of your doctor, is receiving treatment for:

• cancer
• the effects of cancer, such as palliative care and mental health changes since diagnosis
• the effects of current or previous cancer treatment, such as sideeffects of chemotherapy drugs or late effects of radiotherapy.

You should ask your doctor for a Medical Exemption (MedEx) form to apply for this exemption. (It is sometime known as an FP92A form). The form will need to be countersigned by your GP or hospital – this is to prevent fraud.

You should receive your exemption certificate within 10 working days of the NHS receiving your application.

Your certificate covers all your prescriptions, not just those related to your tumour and its treatment.

Your MedEx is valid for five years, by the end of which you can renew by re-applying through your doctor.

If you have, or had, a low grade tumour (which are sometimes described as ‘non-cancerous’), you should discuss whether you can get a Medical Exemption certificate with your doctor. The complicated nature of the disease and its long-term effects mean it may not be clear-cut as to whether you are eligible.

Your doctor will know your individual case and whether you may qualify under these, or other, rules. For example, if you take life-long anti-epileptic medication for brain tumour-related seizures, or if you have another health condition, such as diabetes.

Find out more about eligibility for free NHS prescriptions and help with prescription costs.

In England, Scotland and Wales, if you are on a low income or claim benefits you may be able to get a reduction in your council tax. Depending on your circumstances, your bill can be reduced by up to 100%.

A full council tax is based on at least two adults living in the home. So if you live on your own, or with someone who ‘doesn’t count’ for council tax purposes, you can get a 25% discount. Various people ‘don’t count’ as an adult, including people with severe mental impairment. If they live on their own, the whole property can be exempt from council tax.

If your home is the main home to someone with severe and permanent disabilities, you may be eligible for the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme.

Your council tax could be reduced to a band lower than your home should be normally. This means, for example, that you would pay band B rates on a band C home. Even if your home is band A (the lowest band), you would receive a reduction.

To be eligible for a council tax reduction under this disabled scheme, your home should have at least one of the following:

• an extra kitchen, bathroom or other room that is necessary for the person with the disability
• extra space for the person with the disability to use a wheelchair

Overall, whether you get a CTR, and how much, will depend on where you live. This is because each council has its own rules. Contact your local council to find out if you can get a reduction.

Working tax credit is a payment that may be available to you if you (or your partner) are working, but earning a low income.

To qualify you must be aged over 25 years, or between 16 and 24 years with a child or a qualifying disability, and it will depend on how many hours you work.

The amount you receive is calculated based on several factors.

Pension credit is an income-related benefit for retired people and consists of two parts:

• guarantee credit – you or your partner must have reached the Pension Credit qualifying age. This is the current state pension age for women. You may be eligible for this if your income is below a certain level
• savings credit – you or your partner must be aged 65 or over. You may be eligible for this if you have some savings or a second pension, and reached state pension age before 6 April 2016.
  

You may be entitled to more if you are disabled or are a carer.