What help is available?
If you’re very ill and don't have long to live, there are special rules that apply that mean your claim for disability benefits may be fast-tracked and paid at the highest rate.
Please see 'Where can I get further advice and support?' for more help and guidance at this very difficult time.
What are the special rules?
- Your claim can be fast-tracked so you won’t have to go to a face-to-face assessment and will receive your payment sooner.
- You will automatically qualify for the higher rate of the benefit.
- You won’t have to fill in all the forms.
Which benefits are covered?
The special rules cover disability benefits for people who need help with personal care, daily living or getting around:
- Personal Independence Payment – if you’re over 16 and under State Pension age (England, Wales and NI)
- Attendance Allowance – if you’re over State Pension age
- Disability Living Allowance – for children under 16. DLA for adults has been replaced by PIP, but some adults may still be receiving DLA if they haven’t been transferred to PIP. (England, Wales and NI)
- Adult Disability Payment – if you’re over 16 and under State Pension age and live in Scotland
- Child Disability Payment – for children under 16 who live in Scotland.
The special rules also cover benefits for people who are too unwell to work very much, or at all:
- Employment and Support Allowance – if you’re ill or disabled and can’t work, or have a limited ability to work
- Universal Credit – if you’re on a low income, out of work, or ill or disabled and unable to work
Who is eligible?
It is now possible to get fast-track access to disability benefits if you’re not expected to live for more than 12 months. (This used to be six months prior to April 2023.) However, it’s very difficult to predict how long someone will live, and some people who receive disability benefits under these rules live for much longer.
Even if you’re applying under the special rules, you must still qualify for the benefit to make a claim.
How can I claim?
You will need to apply for the benefit, saying that you're claiming under the special rules for end of life. The easiest way to do this is to ask your medical professional to support your claim. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, they can do this by sending an SR1 form. If you live in Scotland, they can send a BASRIS form.
The form asks your medical professional to confirm information about your illness or condition. You can ask your GP, consultant or specialist nurse to fill it in. They may be able to send the form online, by email or by post.
If your medical professional is unsure about the process, you may want to share information about how to:
Send an SR1 form in England, Wales and Scotland
Send an SR1 form in Northern Ireland
Send a BASRIS form in Scotland
Don’t delay your claim if you’re waiting for your medical professional to send the form. Send in your claim form as soon as possible. Read our pages about each benefit to find out more.
Where can I get further advice and support?
This period may be very difficult to cope with emotionally and you may find it helpful to consider receiving some mental health support whilst going through the process. If you feel overwhelmed, you could ask your doctor if they could help refer you to a counsellor or therapy service.
Marie Curie also offers specialist services and support for anyone facing or affected by terminal illness: www.mariecurie.org.uk
Together for short lives and the Rainbow Trust provide services for seriously ill children, their families and carers.
