People with this diagnosis could be entitled to the higher rate and a quicker application
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) offer financial assistance to people living with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities who face difficulties with everyday activities or getting around. Assessments focus primarily on how someone’s condition impacts them rather than the specific diagnosis itself, unless medical professionals have confirmed one particular circumstance.
Those who have received a terminal illness diagnosis are subject to different criteria when making a PIP claim, which can ‘guarantee’ their application will be expedited and they’ll be awarded the enhanced rate of the daily living component, currently £110.40. This amount is set to rise to £114.60 from April 6, 2026.
Citizens Advice explains: “If you have a terminal illness, you’ll usually get PIP automatically. The DWP will fast-track your application – this means: you won’t have to fill out as many forms, you won’t have to go to a face-to-face assessment, you should get your first payment sooner.
“Someone else can claim on behalf of a person who is terminally ill. For example, because the person doesn’t know that they have a terminal illness. If you do this, let the person know that the claim for PIP is being made, even if they don’t know it is because they’re terminally ill.”
To be eligible for PIP under the special rules for end-of-life circumstances, you must be aged 16 or over at the time of application, be resident in England or Wales, and your GP must confirm you have 12 months or less to live.
However, Government guidance states: “It can be difficult to predict how long someone might live for. If a medical professional has not talked to you about this, you can still ask them to support your claim under the special rules for end of life.”
Those meeting these criteria will automatically receive the enhanced daily living component. However, eligibility for the mobility component depends on whether mobility difficulties stem from your health condition.
Citizens Advice adds: “Make sure you tell the DWP if you have problems most of the time when moving around or going out. For example, tell them how far and how fast you can walk before these problems start.”
It advised people with terminal diagnoses to inform the DWP if they:
- Can’t walk without pain, breathlessness or help
- Need a wheelchair, walking stick or other mobility aid
- Experience stress and anxiety that makes it difficult to go out
To apply for PIP under the special rules for end-of-life provisions, you must contact the PIP team and specify that you wish to make a claim under these arrangements. The PIP team will then enquire about your condition to assess your eligibility.
You’ll also need to request an SR1 form from your medical team, who may provide it directly to you or forward it to the DWP. This can be obtained from your GP, consultant, specialist, hospice doctor or registered nurse, including Macmillan nurses.
People with a life-limiting diagnosis may also qualify under the special rules for Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance if they are of working age. Those beyond state pension age can access Attendance Allowance, while children under 16 will need to submit an application for Disability Living Allowance for children.
Following your application, Macmillan specialists highlight that you should receive your initial payment within a fortnight of submitting your claim. You’ll also circumvent certain standard PIP eligibility requirements, such as demonstrating daily living or mobility challenges over the preceding three months.
