Charlie’s Story

Client profile:   

Charlie is married with children, and living in a mortgaged property. The couple had variable income from self-employment and claiming means-tested benefits.  

Charlie has a diagnosis of bowel cancer which has spread to other areas of his body, this has affected his mobility, and needs crutches and a wheelchair to move around. 

Reason client needs advice:   

Charlie and his partners house has no downstairs bathroom or toilet. They were worried about money – they have no savings, and worried about how Charlie would manage at home, and how they could afford to adapt the home to be suitable for their new needs. 

What we have done to help the client:   

We applied for a Macmillan grant as the family met the criteria – these grants, if awarded, come through within a week and amount to £350, which helps with the initial finances. 

Charlie had applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) independently, however had not heard anything from the Department of Working Pensions (DWP).  It is very hard to succeed in a PIP application if you do not know what information the DWP are looking for and do not understand the decision-making process. 

We helped prepare arguments for why Charlie should get PIP and advised on how to secure evidence to support the application.  The maximum PIP was eventually given, which amounted to a back-payment of £4,837, and ongoing payments of an extra £172.75 per week, to help support the family with the extra costs of Charlie’s reduced mobility and his care needs. 

The family were already on a small amount of UC (Universal Credit), but in cases where someone’s ability to work is severely limited, after three months, they can be entitled to extra money (the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity element).  We supported Charlie to supply continuous Fit Notes, report as too unwell to look for work and complete the necessary forms.  This has now been awarded and Charlie receives an extra £390.06 per month. 

Now the PIP has been awarded, Charlie’s partner although working, can also be awarded the Care Element of UC.  We advised how to declare as a carer to the DWP so that this element gets added to their monthly award – an increase of £185.86. 

Due to Charlie’s severely restricted mobility, we were able to apply for a Blue Badge which makes trips out for him possible and improves his ability to visit the hospital, go shopping and spend time with the family. 

Charlie and their family were given information on how to access Social Services to ask for an assessment and given information on the Disabled Facilities Grant.  This Grant is means-tested, but as the couple were on UC, they qualified. Social Services agreed that they did need adaptations to the home and a new door and ramp to make the house wheelchair accessible, this would have cost £3,980.00 but was covered under the Disabled Facilities Grant. A stair lift is also due to be fitted in the home which will allow Charlie access to upstairs meaning he no longer has to sleep in the living room or use a commode. 

Outcome: 

Macmillan Grant - £350 on off payment 

PIP back payment - £4,837.00 

PIP award £172.75 per week (£8,983 per annum)  

UC limited capability for work element - £390.06 monthly (£4,680.72 per annum) 

UC carers element - £185.86 monthly (£2,230.32 per annum) 

Disabled facilities grant - £3,980.00 

Total increase in income for this year is £25,061.04 
 

NOTE: Names and certain details have been changed to protect the client's identity.