Thousands to get crucial financial support earlier than expected with extension of 'Special Rules'

New rule changes mean that thousands of Brits who are nearing the end of their lives due to illness will be able to get fast-tracked benefits to help with the cost of living. The move means that this will now be extended to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

Eligible claimants do not need to have a medical assessment and will normally receive the highest rate of allowance or benefit payments under the new changes.

‘Special rules for end of life’

The initiative is called ‘special rules for end of life’ and helps people with an illness access money to support their living costs. The rules will apply to PIP, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, from April 3. The rule changes were already brought in last year for Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance.

It is possible you are eligible for the folliwing if your doctor or a medical professional has told you that you might have 12 months or less to live, as per Gov.uk:

• get benefits at a higher rate or get extra money
• start getting payments quicker than usual

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove, approves of the changes, as per The Express:

Helping people in the final year of their lives to get faster access to financial support is the right thing to do, providing the dignity they deserve.

Extending this support will ensure more people can concentrate on making the most of their remaining time with loved ones, rather than worrying about finances.

I am especially grateful to my predecessors in the role for the vital work they did, in bringing forward this hugely important reform, which I am glad to confirm will be implemented very soon.

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How to apply

You can apply for benefits straight away but how a person accesses the fast-tracked support under the Special Rules depends on if they have less than a year or less than six months to live.

If you have less than a year to live, an SR1 form will need to be filled in by a medical professional such as a GP, hospital doctor or registered nurse who will then send it to the DWP to support your application.

If you have been told you have less than 6 months to live then you should ask a medical professional to send form DS1500 to the DWP. This means you can apply for PIP under special rules if you’re eligible.

Professor Bee Wee, national clinical director for End of Life Care at NHS England, also welcomed the new rules:

I warmly welcome the changes to the Special Rules.

This is a truly significant step forward in improving the support for people who are likely to die in the next 12 months.

For further information on how you or your family can benefit from fast-tracked payments go to the government's website to find out more.

Read more:

⋙ Millions to see DWP payments increase due to major change in April

Sources used:

- The Express 'PIP: Change to 'Special Rules' means thousands to get fast-tracked access from next month'

- Gov.uk 'Get benefits if you're nearing the end of life'