The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a major rule change coming in next month - but it won't apply to everyone on benefits.
UK government ministers have confirmed they will scrap the 'six months rule', under which people in the UK must prove they have six months to live to access some benefits, on April 4, reports the Mirror.
Special rules for terminal illness allow such claimants to access fast-tracked benefits, but they must get their GP to fill out a form confirming they can "reasonably be expected" to die in six months.
Read more: 9 easy ways to save money ahead of April benefits cut
This time period will be changed to 12 months after years of campaigning from charities and MPs.
But the change next month will only apply to people seeking universal credit and employment and support allowance (ESA).
But it is understood this will not apply to people claiming personal independence payments (PIP) until at least 2023.
It means dying claimants will still have to follow the six-month rule when applying for PIP after April 4. Around 2.8 million people in the UK are estimated to be claiming PIP, according to the DWP.
It is estimated that ten people a day die while waiting for a decision on a PIP claim.
The rules under disability living allowance and attendance allowance will also only be changed at a later date, with officials hoping to finish the changes in 2023.
Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of the end of life charity Marie Curie, said: “This will ensure more dying people can concentrate on making the most of the limited time they have left, rather than worrying about their finances.”
But he added “there is more to be done” and PIP must “come quickly in line with those benefits impacted today”.
Sally Light, chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said: “This is an important first step and we hope that this positive change can be enacted for other applicable benefits as soon as possible.”
The Department for Work and Pensions said those who are eligible will not be subject to a face-to-face assessment or waiting periods, and in the majority of cases they will receive the highest rate of benefits.
Minister for Disabled People Chloe Smith said: “We want to ensure people in the final year of their lives get quicker access to vital financial support.
“We have listened to those with a terminal illness, as well as their families and friends, and we are delivering a change that will increase much-needed support in the most challenging of times.”
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