If
you are terminally ill and not receiving one of these benefits if you
are already Attendance Allowance , Disability Living Allowance and
Employment and Support Allowance can be claimed quickly under special
rules .Note : This brochure gives a brief summary of the benefits for the terminally ill and for guidance only . It does not cover all situations , nor does it include a full statement of the law . Further , more detailed information is given at the end of the source .
Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people aged under 65, including children, who have care needs or problems with getting about. See separate leaflet called Disability Living Allowance.
Employment and Support Allowance is a benefit if you are aged under 65, and have problems working because of an illness or disability. See separate leaflet called Employment and Support Allowance
.
People who are terminally ill do not need to have a medical examination if they are claiming Employment and Support Allowance and they do not need to wait 13 weeks before getting a component.
This means there is much less information that the person has to enter on the claim form. Claims made under the special rules are given priority treatment.
If the claim has been made by another person, the terminally ill person will be notified that a claim has been made for Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance. However, they will not be told that the claim has been made under the special rules.
A short medical report about the terminally ill person's condition must be sent in with the claim forms for Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance. This report is called DS1500 and is available from a doctor, specialist or consultant.
It is not necessary to see the doctor to obtain the report. A nurse or doctor's receptionist can be asked to arrange for the report to be issued.
What are Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit if you are aged 65 or over and you need care. See separate leaflet called Attendance Allowance.Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people aged under 65, including children, who have care needs or problems with getting about. See separate leaflet called Disability Living Allowance.
Employment and Support Allowance is a benefit if you are aged under 65, and have problems working because of an illness or disability. See separate leaflet called Employment and Support Allowance
.
What are the special rules for the terminally ill?
Under normal rules for Attendance Allowance and Disability Allowance a person has to have needed care for a certain length of time before they can get these benefits. Under the special rules there is no such qualifying period, neither does the person have to prove what care they need.People who are terminally ill do not need to have a medical examination if they are claiming Employment and Support Allowance and they do not need to wait 13 weeks before getting a component.
This means there is much less information that the person has to enter on the claim form. Claims made under the special rules are given priority treatment.
What is meant by terminally ill?
The definition used by the Department for Work and Pensions, when they assess a claim under the special rules, is that a person is suffering from a progressive disease, and their death can be reasonably expected within six months.Who can make the claim under the special rules?
The claim can be made either by the person who is terminally ill or by someone acting on their behalf. If the claim is made on behalf of the terminally ill person, it is not necessary for them to sign the form. This may be appropriate where a person has not been told the full nature of their condition.If the claim has been made by another person, the terminally ill person will be notified that a claim has been made for Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance. However, they will not be told that the claim has been made under the special rules.
How do you claim?
Claims should be made on the Disability Living Allowance (people aged under 65), Attendance Allowance (people aged over 65) and Employment and Support Allowance (people aged under 65) claim forms.A short medical report about the terminally ill person's condition must be sent in with the claim forms for Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance. This report is called DS1500 and is available from a doctor, specialist or consultant.
It is not necessary to see the doctor to obtain the report. A nurse or doctor's receptionist can be asked to arrange for the report to be issued.
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