Help with living expenses whilst husband is ill

[Ricana]

I would like to know if there is any financial help a friend of mine can get, due to her circumstances, which are as follows:
On the 10th May 2011 my friend’s husband collapsed with a brain haemorrhage, he had emergency brain surgery that night, he remains in a coma.
The problem is that all their finances were in her husband’s name, bank account, credit card etc. she was able to use his credit card to withdraw money to live on and travel to visit him in hospital, but then she was advised to see a solicitor in order to gain the right to manage his affairs whilst he’s ill, but part of that process is to freeze his accounts, which has now happened and she finds herself having to live on her salary alone which is not very much as she is in a low paid job.
Could you please tell me if there is any help available to her whilst the legal process takes place, which we are told could take months.
Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

[boxtops]

I would certainly seek advice, including (if they have a mortgage) going to see the building society to explain why payments can't be made while the account is frozen. He may have some insurance against illness in connection with the mortgage loan or credit cards, which could help during this difficult time.

[ladybirder]

She should go to the CAB first thing on Monday morning.

[woofgang]

The Macmillan ads talk about financial help and advice, has she spoken to them?
http://www.macmillan....FinancialSupport.aspx

[Dodger666]

If all else fails your friend will need to apply to The Court of Protection to manage her husband's affairs.

She could be authorisedby the court to manage her husband's affairs. Unfortunately fees are involved.

http://www.justice.go.../court-of-protection/