Hi
Just diagnosed with dcis, though they need to biopsy another area of same breast next week (grimace) . I’m self employed and do a rather physical job , I feel I can’t think of work till this is over.
How have other self employed people done it?
I think I read somewhere about government help for self employed sickness, does this include dcis?
I appreciate my critical illness policy doesn’t cover dcis. I have a small amount of income protection I think I can claim.
Hi @tuttifrutti a I’m self employed and haven’t been able to work for months and just recently returned to work . I had a single mx in September and then chemo and herceptin .
Sadly I found there isn’t much help for self employed however depending on your circumstances you could apply for universal credit ?
You can also apply for New style ESA which isn’t means tested , you are awarded it straight away and then complete a work capability assessment to see if you are entitled to higher rate .
Failing that , have you spoken to Macmillan about any grants ? If you have a Maggies attached to your hospital they can help advise you regarding entitlements to any support x
Im self employed and as mentioned, the government doesn’t contribute to this. I worked all through my treatment for this reason and I was in the middle of a job, so had to get on with it or no pay.
Macmillan do offer some financial support but not without expenditure testing you first.
Again, its probably best to get in touch with DWP as there might be a financial avenue via them, in the short term.
Thank you for replying, oh to be employed with a great boss would make things easier now. I’ve got a fit note from my gp today and I’ve supplied that along with completed ESA form, it’s not means tested but will see what happens. Think if someone is successful it’s about £90 a week.
Hi as long as you have paid your NHS cotributions you should ge able to claim ESA new type. I left my position due to personal matters 6 wks before my diagnosis. It was actually jy self employed hairdresser who said i should claim this as i had paid full NI over the years. It was straight forward and the lady from the job centre interview was lovely. I explained my diagnosis etc. Initially i was placed on seeking employment then placed in the not fit for work for the forceeable future under Disability Equally Act 2010. As long as y
ou have declared income its straight forward. Good luck. Apologises if i dont make sense im sat in the garden in the twilight
Hi as far as im aware as ling as you have been paying National Insurance you should receive New Style ESA. , for employed claimants I seem to remember its over a certain timescale so I would think Self employed would be similiar. The form is quite long but dont be put off as cancer diagnosis allows you to jump some of the qusstions, you need to get a clinician to sign declaration- dont let BC nurse put you off, mine tried to get me to wait till after op but I already knew it was going to be a long haul!!!. Good luck. X
