Thousands more terminally ill people will now have their access to a range of benefits fast-tracked after landmark legislation was passed last week.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed that people in their final year of life will be able to access Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) more quickly. It comes after King Charles granted Royal Assent to the Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill in one of his first major legislative acts as monarch.
The new rules mean that those who are terminally ill will be able to access these three forms of financial support six months earlier than they could previously. Those who are eligible for the benefits will not be required to attend a medical assessment, and in the majority of cases they will receive the highest rate of benefits, according to DWP.
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Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride MP said: "It’s hugely important that people in the last year of their life are treated with dignity and receive the financial support they need and deserve quickly. Extending this support confirms our commitment to alleviating the pressures faced by those who are nearing the end of their lives, and their families."
DWP added that the changes to PIP, DLA and AA will come into effect "as soon as practical", and will follow the same changes made to Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) earlier this year. The Gov.UK website advises that those who are nearing the end of their life because of an illness can get money to help with living costs.
The website explains that if a doctor or medical professional has told you that you might have 12 months or les to live, they can fill in a form on your behalf so that you can apply for a range of benefits under special rules for end of life. Previously, terminally ill people could only get some of these benefits if they had six months or less to live.
If you need help or support, the Government website advises that you can get in touch with the following organisations:
- Marie Curie - care and support at the end of life
- Together for Short Lives - support for seriously ill children and their families
- Rainbow Trust - support for families with seriously ill children
- Macmillan Cancer Support - practical and emotional support at the end of life
- Carers Trust - support and advice for carers
- Carers UK - support and advice for carers
- Citizens Advice - for financial advice and support
- Money Helper - advice on money and benefits
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