Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on fast-tracking benefits for terminally ill people.

I refer the Hon.Member to the written answer that the previous Minister for Disabled People gave on 14 July 2014, Official Report, column 589w, to the Hon. Member for East Lothian, Fiona O’Donnell.

Previous answer:

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will classify motor neurone disease as a terminal illness which qualifies for a fast-track assessment for welfare claims. [204826]

Mike Penning: Claims to attendance allowance, disability living allowance, employment and support allowance, incapacity benefit and personal independence payment from people who are terminally ill, as defined in law, are fast tracked. Claimants are considered to be terminally ill if they have a progressive disease as a result of which they are not expected to live longer than six months. Motor neurone disease is considered to be a progressive disease.