The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it has no plans to allow people diagnosed with a terminal illness to access their State Pension prior to retirement age, even if they have accrued sufficient National Insurance Contributions.The official age of retirement is 66 for both men and women and at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance Contributions are needed for any State Pensions payment.
To be eligible for the full, New State Pension, people must have 35 years of National Insurance Contributions. Payments for the full, New State Pension are currently worth up to £185.15 per week, however, from April 2023 this will rise to £203.85.
DWP Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott MP, gave the response after SNP MP, Dave Doogan, asked about the possible policy change last week. In a written response, Ms Trott said: “We have no plans to allow early access to State Pension.”
She explained that for people at the end of their life, the UK Government’s priority is to provide financial support “quickly and compassionately”.
Ms Trott said: “The main way that the Department does this is through special benefit rules, sometimes referred to as ‘the Special Rules’.
“These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.”
The Special Rules have applied to people who have six months or less to live and now they are being changed so they apply to people who have 12 months or less to live - you can find out more about this on GOV.UK here.
However, Ms Trott highlighted that in Scotland, State Pension could potentially be paid out earlier.
She said: “Scotland has the powers under the Scotland Act 2016 to make additional discretionary payments should it wish to do so.
“Whilst pensions remain a reserved matter, the Scotland Act 2016 has given the Scottish Government the ability to use a wide range of new welfare provisions.”
Making your claim under Special Rules
You can apply for benefits straight away if you or someone you know has 12 months or less to live.
You should ask a medical professional to fill in a form.
Medical professionals include:
- GPs
- hospital doctors
- registered nurses (for example, Macmillan nurses or specialist nurses)
They will send it to the DWP to support your benefit application, or you can send it yourself.
Applying on behalf of someone else
You will 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
If you have reached State Pension age
You can apply for Attendance Allowance. You do not have to have someone looking after you to be eligible for Attendance Allowance.
You can apply yourself or someone else can do it for you - find out more here.
If you have been told that you might have six months or less to live you can apply for Attendance Allowance under Special Rules.
To claim under Special Rules, ask a medical professional to complete form DS1500. They can send it to DWP or you can send it yourself - the address is on the form.
If you already get Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults but your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than six months, call the Disability Service Centre.
If you are under State Pension age
If you are 16 or over and have not reached State Pension age, check if you are eligible for these benefits:
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
You may be eligible to get two or three of these benefits at the same time, depending on your circumstances - find out more here.
Help and support
If you need support after your diagnosis or with applying for benefits you can get help from the following:
- Marie Curie - care and support at the end of life
- Together for Short Lives - support for seriously ill children and their families
- Rainbow Trust - support for families with seriously ill children
- Macmillan Cancer Support - practical and emotional support at the end of life
- Carers Trust - support and advice for carers
- Carers UK - support and advice for carers
- Citizens Advice - for financial advice and support
Direct links to the organisations listed above can be found on GOV.UK here.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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