People with terminal illnesses will no longer have to prove they have six months to live in order to access certain benefits.
On Thursday (March 10), ministers announced the "six month rule" would come to an end on April 4 - three years after it was deemed no longer to be fit for purpose.
Special Rules for Terminal Illness allow terminally ill claimants to access fast-tracked benefits.
READ MORE: DWP urges people to apply for benefit worth up to £609 per month
However, they must get their GP to fill out a form confirming they can “reasonably be expected” to die in six months, reports the Mirror.
This time period will now 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.
It’s understood dying claimants will still have to follow the six-month rule when applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) until at least next year.
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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