Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that terminally ill people access benefits to which they are entitled.

The Department uses a range of channels to communicate with claimants and advisers ‒ including leaflets, and the government information website GOV.UK. Furthermore, the Department works closely with a range of organisations to ensure they can give the best possible advice to their clients, including people that are terminally ill, on possible benefit entitlements.

Claims for disability or incapacity benefits, including Personal Independence Payment or Employment and Support Allowance, for people that are terminally ill are fast-tracked under the Department’s ‘special rules’. Once identified their claim must be processed as soon as possible, and they will not need to have a face-to- face assessment.

More information on how to claim benefits such as PIP and ESA can be found on the GOV.UK website at https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability.