can someone send me the link as i havent been able to access it despite googling!
L x
Go back to the first post on this thread.
Here it is to save you scrolling back. X
Signed
Have signed too.
Linda x
Signed
Thistle
xx
signed, heres hoping
xx
DLA on its own won’t automatically qualify you for any help. I have been receiving DLA for many years as I have secondaries including bone mets and these became so bad in one hip that I needed a hip replacement.
However, because I do not receive any means tested benefits, I am entitled to nothing.
I was a higher rate tax payer most of my working life, so I certainly paid enough into the State system, but all I get back is Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance (and initially I had to fight for that).
I have equity based savings that have, like almost everyone else’s dropped a bit in value recently, so hence,I choose not to disinvest. These are turned into a notional income stream and added to my real income and suddenly I’m rich!
I won’t be signing the petition because it was not comprehensive enough to include all affected cancer patients.
What efforts is our patron Cherie Booth doing on our behalf here? Perhaps she forgets her responsibilities as patron when it conflicts with her loyalities to the Labour Party!
Sorry you won’t be signing the e-petition to ask the Government to approve Winter Fuel Payments for people with cancer, Holey.
But if others wish to do so, or to link in with Macmillan’s campaign, please go to petitions.number10.gov.uk/Cancer-keepwarm/ for the e-petition (we only have until the 4th of Feb to get the 500 signatures which will generate a Government response) and/or to macmillan.org.uk/GetInvolved/Campaigns/Freezeoutfuelpoverty/Fuel_poverty_campaign.aspx for Macmillan’s “Freeze Out Fuel Poverty” campaign.
Marilyn x
signed!
Signed
Just to let you know my OH wrote about the Macmillan campaign and gave the link to the petition in the Scotsman last Saturday - I hope it encourages more people to sign it.
signed
Yes I signed.
Just read this post and immediately signed it.
Babs xx
Dear Friends -
We have only two more days to get this e-petition to the 500 signatures needed for a Government response. There are 480 signatures right now – if you haven’t already done so, please click on petitions.number10.gov.uk/Cancer-keepwarm/ to sign the e-petition, and please ask your friends and family to have a look at it (and hopefully sign up) as well before it closes on the 4th of February.
This is an opportunity to have our voices heard on an issue of real importance to people in the UK living with cancer. Thanks to everyone on the BCC forums who has signed the e-petition and to all our friends & family who have also signed up to show their support. Please don’t allow this campaign to sink without trace – it’s going to snow again tomorrow . . . . .
Marilyn x
Excellent! Sign up as soon as possible.
Welsh girl
I had a look just now and it is on 500!!!
Ann x
Thanks to all for carrying this campaign across the “finishing line”. Now let’s hope the Government gives us a positive response!
Marilyn x
Hi all
I’ve just received the Government’s rather disappointing response to this petition:
__________________________________________________________________
The Government understands that some people with cancer can face extra costs as a result of their condition and treatment, including heating costs. This is where disability benefits such as Disability Living Allowance and the Disability Premiums in the Income-Related Benefits can provide extra help.
Disabled people of all ages can face extra costs due to their impairment. Rather than create a confusing web of different allowances for different needs, successive governments have preferred to make general provision through Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Payments are spread over 52 weeks so can help with extra costs throughout the year, not just for the winter period, and the contribution DLA provides can be substantial.
For instance, someone receiving the highest rate of DLA care component and the higher rate of DLA mobility component would currently benefit by £119.45 a week (£6,211.40 a year). On top of this, DLA is flexible, it can be paid in and out of work or training and recipients have the choice to spend it in the way that best suits their circumstances, for instance on additional heating.
People who are terminally ill can receive the highest rate of care component of Disability Living Allowance without having to serve the three months qualifying period and the benefit is usually paid within 10 days from the time the claim is received.
Additional help is available to people with cancer receiving Income-Related Benefits such as Income Support through the Disability Premiums included in these benefits. Combined with the support received through DLA the most vulnerable people with cancer can receive up to around £8,000 per year in recognition of the extra costs of their illness.
Cold Weather Payments are also available to certain vulnerable people, including those receiving the main phase of income-related Employment and Support Allowance or disability premiums in the income-related benefits, with the extra heating costs which result from very cold weather in their area. In winter 2008/09 8.4 million Cold Weather Payments worth £210 million were paid to customers in Great Britain.
________________________________________________________________
So, in short, they won’t change their rules to include “people with cancer” as automatically elligible for heating allowances, but – and this is very important – if you think you might qualify for any of the benefits mentioned above, do please apply for them as soon as possible. You can get help with applying from your local Citizens’ Advice Bureaux, BCNs, local authority benefits advisors or MacMillan nurses.
Regards, Marilyn x