Get benefits if you're nearing the end of life

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1. Claiming benefits under special rules

If you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness) you might be able to get certain benefits more quickly and at a higher rate.

This is sometimes called ‘special rules for end of life’.

There are .

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Find out how to claim under special rules if:

Check if you’re eligible to claim under special rules

You’re eligible for the special rules if both of the following apply:

  • you have an illness that gets worse over time
  • your doctor or medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live

If a medical professional has not talked to you about how long you might live for, you can ask if they’ll support your claim under the special rules for end of life.

Medical professionals include:

  • GPs
  • hospital doctors
  • registered nurses (for example, Macmillan nurses or specialist nurses)

Check which benefits you’re eligible for

If you’re applying under the special rules, you must still be eligible for the benefit. Each benefit has different eligibility criteria.

You may be eligible for more than one benefit at the same time.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can apply for Attendance Allowance.

If you’re under State Pension age

The benefits you can apply for are:

If your child is nearing the end of life

If you have a child under 16Ìý who is nearing the end of life you can apply for:

How to apply under the special rules

  1. Check you’re eligible for the benefit.

  2. Apply for the benefit, saying that you’re claiming under the special rules for end of life.Ìý

  3. Ask your doctor or medical professional to complete an SR1 form to confirm that you’re nearing the end of life. They will have the form.

  4. Your medical professional sends the form to the relevant government department, or you can send it yourself. The address is on the form.

You only need one SR1 form to be completed, even if you’re applying for more than one benefit.

Help and support

If you need support after your diagnosis or with applying for benefits you can get help from the following organisations:

  • - care and support at the end of life
  • - support for seriously ill children and their families
  • - support for families with seriously ill children
  • - practical and emotional support at the end of life
  • - for financial advice and support
  • - advice on money and benefits

2. If you already get benefits

If you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness) you might be able to get your benefits more quickly and at a higher rate.Ìý

This is sometimes called ‘special rules for end of life’.

If a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live, you’ll need to:

  • report this as a change in your circumstances
  • ask your medical professional to fill out a form (known as an SR1) to confirm that you’re nearing the end of life

If a medical professional has not talked to you about how long you might live for, you can ask if they’ll support your claim under the special rules for end of life.

Report a change of circumstances

Find out how to report a change of circumstances if you already get:

Send an SR1 form

Ask your doctor or medical professional to complete an SR1 form. They will have the form.Ìý

Your medical professional will usually send the form, or you can send it yourself. The address is on the form.

You only need one SR1 form to be completed, even if you get more than one benefit.

3. If you're caring for someone who's nearing the end of life

Check if the person you care for can get certain benefits more quickly and at a higher rate.

You’ll need to become an appointee to apply on behalf of someone else, unless you’re applying for:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children

Check if you can get carers benefits

You may be eligible for financial support if you care for someone who is nearing the end of life.

If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week,Ìýcheck if you can get Carer’s Allowance.

If you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week and you’re under State Pension age,Ìýcheck if you can get Carer’s Credit.

Help and support

If you need support for carers or with applying for benefits you can get help from the following organisations: