My husband is 63 and at Christmas last year was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. He had a massive operation in January to remove the kidney, along with Lymph Nodes and more of the tumor. He hasn't had a day off sick for over 25 years, never claimed for anything. He is currently on a drug for the cancer that has knocked him for 6 and will be on it for the rest of his days.
He had been made redundant at 60, so we after searching for another sales position with no luck he took a part time job in a store, which he loved along with Toastmastering which was a hobby we were really quite happy with our lot.
Last week his statutory sick pay ran out and he applied for benefit from the state to be told, you are due nothing because you haven't paid enough National Insurance for the last 3 years! I work more than 24 hours a week, (although it is my own business of a retail art gallery - you can imagine how well that is is doing at the moment) so that is another reason why he is due no benefit.
When I rang the Gov. dept concerned they said 'Sorry, no money will be paid because of the 3 years back rule'; I asked what about the 40+ years my husband had worked prior to this massive illness they more or less said you can appeal but don't hold your breath!
I don't know that I am looking for answers to this topic other than to say if he was an 18 year girl who was pregnant and looking for housing and funds to keep her and her baby, would the government pay out - you bet they would.
We are lucky, we have a nice life and will manage - life will be different but we will manage, but what about the poor couples who aren't so fortunate in the same position........................
take careGood Morning Tuesday 23rd April St Georges Day
To think that London, or anywhere else for that matter, does not belong to any one demographic
