Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling people below the retirement age with a terminal diagnosis to claim their pension earlier.

The Department meets regularly with key stakeholders to understand the needs of people living with a terminal illness.

Whilst it is the case that nobody can claim their State Pension before State Pension age, support is available through the Special Rules for End of Life. These rules enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and Attendance Allowance, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.