Making it easier for terminally ill people to get welfare benefits

This bill changes how the government decides if someone is terminally ill for welfare purposes. Currently, people must be expected to die within six months to get fast-track benefit payments. The bill extends this to 12 months. This means more people with terminal illnesses could get benefits more quickly without lengthy assessments. The change affects benefits like Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit. People who qualify would skip normal waiting times and medical examinations. The government says this will reduce stress for dying people and their families. Currently, some people with terminal illnesses die before receiving benefits they were entitled to because the six-month rule was too strict.

• 1Changes terminal illness definition from 6 months to 12 months for benefit claims
• 2Allows more terminally ill people to get fast-track benefit assessments
• 3Applies to benefits like Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit
• 4Removes need for lengthy medical examinations for qualifying applicants
• 5Aims to reduce delays that currently prevent some dying people getting benefits