DWP- The Special Rules for End of Life
The Special Rules allow people nearing the end of life to:
- get faster, easier access to certain benefits
- get higher payments for certain benefits
- avoid a medical assessment
- An adult or child is nearing the end of life when they are likely to have less than 12 months to live.
If a person is likely to have less than 12 months to live, they can make a fast-tracked claim to the following benefits (if they are eligible):
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
Claiming benefits under special rules
If you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness) you might be able to get certain benefits more quickly and at a higher rate.
This is sometimes called ‘special rules for end of life’.
There are different rules if you live in Scotland.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Find out how to claim under special rules if:
- you already get benefits
- you’re applying for benefits on behalf of someone else
Check if you’re eligible to claim under special rules
You’re eligible for the special rules if both of the following apply:
- you have an illness that gets worse over time
- your doctor or medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live
If a medical professional has not talked to you about how long you might live for, you can still ask if they’ll support your claim under the special rules for end of life.
Medical professionals include:
- GPs
- consultants
- specialty doctors
- hospice doctors
- registered nurses (for example, Macmillan nurses or specialist nurses)
Check which benefits you’re eligible for
If you’re applying under the special rules, you must still be eligible for the benefit. Each benefit has different eligibility criteria.
You may be eligible for more than one benefit at the same time.
If you’ve reached State Pension age
You can apply for Attendance Allowance.
If you’re under State Pension age
The benefits you can apply for are:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- If your child is nearing the end of life
- If you have a child under 16 who is nearing the end of life, you can apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children.
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-end-of-life
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