Review of Special Rules for Terminal Illness
2021-03-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a departmental review into the special rules applicable to individuals with terminal illnesses.
What plans does she have to publish her Department's review of the special rules for terminal illness?
The Department is committed to delivering an improved benefit system for claimants nearing the end of their lives, and we are working across government to bring forward changes.
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Assessment & feedback
Publication plans of the review were not specified.
Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is an inconsistency where individuals with a severe condition have to reapply after three years under the special rules despite having ongoing awards, while others eligible under normal rules undergo light-touch reviews.
Will the Minister urgently correct the anomaly whereby someone with a severe condition eligible for an ongoing award under the normal rules has a light-touch review after 10 years, but someone with a terminal illness such as motor neurone disease has to reapply after three years under the special rules or risk having their benefits stopped?
I thank the hon. Member for raising that important point, referring to someone who qualifies under special rules for terminal illness normally having an award for three years. The point was raised during the review of changing the rules around special rules; we are considering it and I welcome its having been raised.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific corrective actions were not mentioned.
Under Consideration
Response accuracy