I’ve just been diagnosed with IDC grade 1. MRI next week then they’ll decide treatment pathway. Based on what they know so far they think lumpectomy then hormone therapy only, but obviously that may change depending on MRI/pathology results.
I’m self employed (copywriter). Wondering how best to plan financially for having to take time off for treatment, and I’d love to know how others have approached this?
I see there’s employment support available from the government but it looks like a very small amount (~£90/wk). Has anyone self employed successfully applied for this? Was it difficult to get? Anything to note?
I don’t have any savings after my long term relationship ended last year and I bought my own place (all of which I’m very happy about, my life now is much better and happier, it’s just left me skint!). I have 2 children who are with me 65% of the time and I receive child maintenance from their dad.
I am very fortunate that in a worst case scenario my parents will be able to lend me some money to cover my outgoings for a month or 2 if I need it. Obviously I’d rather not have to ask them but I appreciate I do have this safety net which not everyone has.
If love to hear anyone else’s experiences of how they navigated this, any other suggestions I haven’t thought of?
Hi there, I was self employed when I was diagnosed with my first BC. I am so impreased that you are figuring out the financial issues as I was too much of an emotional mess to do anything sensible. In my area there was a self employed forum, a group of people who got together once a month to support and encourage each other. They were very helpful. Its a while ago now so solutions will be very different, but I wonder if there is a similar forum near you? I do understand its a really scary time without sickpay. All best wishes.
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Haha we all cope with bad news in different ways, I tend to go into research and planning mode. Helps me feel like I can do something when so much is currently out of my control. Writing to-do lists makes me feel better 
That’s a good idea about speaking to other self employed people. I’m already in an online community with other freelance writers and they are a fabulous supportive bunch.
You’ve also triggered a thought, I know a woman who specialises in helping female business owners. So I may contact her to see if she knows of any extra support I could tap into or she might know someone who’s been in a similar position.
Thank you! Xx
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Hi,
I’m self employed. I filled in the forms online. I think it was DWP but I can check when I’m near my paper work. I had to get a fit (sick) note from the doctor and a phone call with someone. It was all pretty straightforward. It wasn’t much £90 a week, although it did increase after my last tax return. They have paid it directly into my account fortnightly. It’s not enough to survive on but it’s a help!
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Hi
If you have invasive bc check if you have critical illness cover, can often also a stipulation when you take out a mortgage. That might give you a big lump sum and take the financial pressure right off.
I’ve just had my lumpectomy for dcis which critical illness won’t cover. I got the booklet for the ESA to complete (after I put my details in online), I’ve not completed it yet as I’m put off by the size of it and you also have to have an interview. One of my clients said it was a stress for her, she had excruciating sciatica which stopped her working as a hairdresser. They declined her saying she could stand and raise one hand! She appealed and won, but she said it was a stress.
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Im self-employed and had to work right through my treatment.
I work part time because of having Lupus on top of breast cancer. Fortunately I’m no longer the breadwinner in my family, so that took the heat off things.
I wasn’t entitled to any support without an expenditure assessment. That was from Macmillan. Luckily treatment part was only 6 months, so it would have took to long and too much hoop jumping to venture with DWP.
The assumption from health professionals is that everyone works in an office/lenient environment and can have X time off.
The reality is very different as the covid proved.
Its a tough journey. Hope things come through for you soon.
Take care.
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Thanks for sharing your experience! If you don’t mind me asking, how long did you claim it for? And was it only for when you weren’t working at all due to treatment?
I can imagine I may want to reduce my hours at some points but not stop working altogether, but it doesn’t seem like it’s possible to continue claiming it in those circumstances? (Don’t worry if you don’t know, I’m just curious in case you do happen to!)
Unfortunately I don’t have critical illness cover 
I did look at it when I bought my current home, but given that it only covers certain illnesses I decided it wasn’t worth the cost.
That’s awful about your client’s experience. The last thing you need is more stress when you’ve already got the stress of being unwell.
Good luck with your application xx
Thank you. I’m hoping very much that my treatment will only be a few months too, as it’s grade 1 and caught early. In which case, it sounds like as you say it’s probably not worth the lengthy, hoop-jumping application to DWP. I’ll see.
It’s just very hard to anticipate how much I’ll be able to continue working throughout this whole process. Right now I’m finding work is mainly a helpful distraction. But I can see that could easily change. Like everything else, I guess I just have to take it one step at a time.
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Something similar happened to my late sister. She wasn’t self-employed but she was on agency work, which wasn’t guaranteed all the time. By the time she applied for ESA or equivalent, she was back at work but in the meantime had to use her savings to pay her rent etc…by the time DWP came through with the payments (although backdated) as she lived alone.
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Hi @beachfox, I believe Macmillan do offers grants to help with cancer expenses. Another source of help could be benevolent funds, either local to your area, or trade related. Contact The Association of Charitable Organisations. www.aco.uk.net
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Thanks so much, I will definitely investigate these! Really appreciate it 