THE UK Government is being urged to speed up the introduction of changes to disability benefit rules for terminally ill people to ensure vital financial support is delivered more quickly.
Following pressure from charities and politicians, UK ministers announced last July the scrapping of a “six-month” rule under which people must prove they have six months or less to live to access fast-track benefits support.
A new 12-month, end of life definition was announced instead – but this the change will not be introduced until April.
SNP MP Drew Hendry, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG) for Terminal Illness, said: “After many years of campaigning for greater support for those living with a terminal illness, I was pleased when the UK Government announced they would change the rules to allow those with a terminal illness access benefits quicker. However, we are six months down the line and still nothing.
“The APPG on Terminal Illness has heard painful stories from people affected by the cruel six-month rule, the culture of scepticism and dehumanisation at the DWP, and the effect these experiences have on families that can last long into bereavement.
“I pay tribute to the people with terminal illness who have fought for the benefit of others in the future and they shouldn’t have to wait any longer.”
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The Scottish Government has enshrined changes to have no time definition for terminal illness and access to the highest rate of support in the 2018 Social Security Act.
This was introduced for the Child Disability Payment which was launched in November and will also apply to Adult Disability Payment being phased in from spring 2022.
Hendry added: “I am urging the UK Government to change the rules now so that people who have been told they have a year or less to live can access vital financial support. It is the very least the UK Government can do after making the wait so long already.”
Charities Marie Curie and the Motor Neurone Disease Association were among those who called for an urgent review of the rules after official data last year revealed more than 100 people a month were dying within six months of being rejected for disability benefits.
Campaigners warned many people had to spend their final weeks fighting to access social security.
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