What benefits can I claim if I'm affected by terminal illness?

If you've been diagnosed with a terminal illness, or are caring for someone with a terminal illness, you may need extra help with finances. You may be able to apply for certain benefits, but we know the benefits system can be complicated and confusing. That's why we've put together this information about the main benefits and financial support you could apply for.

On this page:

What benefits are there for people with a terminal illness?

Many people wonder if there is a terminal illness benefit, or benefits for people living with cancer, motor neurone disease (MND), or other conditions. Although there are no specific benefits for these conditions, you might be able to apply for certain disability and sickness benefits, as well as benefits for people with limited income or savings. You may be able to receive these quicker and at a higher rate because you have a terminal illness.

Here are the main benefits you could apply for, with some information about who is eligible for each one when you first apply. More information can be found on the individual pages for each benefit:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – if you're aged 16 or over, under State Pension age (with some exceptions) and need help with daily living or getting around. You need to live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Adult Disability Payment – this is replacing PIP in Scotland. From 29 August 2022 you can apply if you're aged 16 or over, under State Pension age, have an illness or disability, and live in Scotland.
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – if you're aged 16 or over, under State Pension age and your illness or disability makes it difficult or impossible to work.
• Attendance Allowance – if you're State Pension age or older and need help caring for yourself. Find out your State Pension age at GOV.UK.
  
• Universal Credit – if you're aged 18 or over (with some exceptions), you (or your partner, if you have one) are under State Pension age, you have a low income and £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children – for children with disabilities aged under 16 in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Child Disability Payment   – this is replacing DLA for children in Scotland. This benefit is for children with disabilities aged under 16 in Scotland.

In Scotland if you receive DLA for children or Child Disability Payment, you can continue to receive these until you are 18, as long as the claim was made before you were 16.

Try our benefits calculator for a helpful way to find out which benefits you're entitled to, and how much money you could get.

Each benefit has different rules about who can get it. Most of these benefits are not based on whether you've paid National Insurance in the past (except for Employment and Support Allowance). Most of them are not affected by any other income or savings you have (except Universal Credit).

Can I get more than one benefit?

You may be able to get more than one benefit at once, if you're eligible for them. There is sometimes a limit to the overall amount you can get from benefits – this is called the benefit cap.

The benefit cap does not apply to everyone. Situations where the benefit cap does not apply include (but is not limited to):

• if you're claiming a disability benefit
• if you get the limited capability for work element of Universal Credit
• if you're in the support group for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

This is not a full list and there are more situations where the benefit cap does not apply. Find out more about the benefit cap at GOV.UK.

What benefits are there for family or friends?

• Carer's Allowance – if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone, earn £139 or less per week after tax, National Insurance and expenses, and you're aged 16 or over.
• Carer Premium – an extra payment if you meet specific conditions and already get certain benefits including (but not limited to) income-related ESA and Income Support.
• Carer Element – an extra payment if you meet specific conditions and get Universal Credit. Read more about the Carer Element on our page about Universal Credit. 
• Carer's Allowance Supplement (Scotland) – an extra payment if you live in Scotland and get Carer's Allowance.
• Carer's Credit – a National Insurance credit if you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week, and are aged between 16 and State Pension age.

Claiming Carer's Allowance could affect the benefits of the person you care for. It's important to seek advice before making a claim. 

If the person you were caring for has died, you might be wondering what happens to any benefits you were both getting. Read about what happens to benefits when someone dies.

How do I apply for benefits?

Information about how to apply for these benefits is on each individual benefits page. There is step-by-step guidance as well as contact details for the relevant government department.

If you're living with a terminal illness, you might be able to apply under the special rules. The special rules vary depending on the benefit you're claiming. They might mean your claim is fast tracked, paid at a higher rate and that you do not need to have medical assessments. If you're applying under the special rules there is an extra form you will need. Read more about the special rules below.

Are there special rules for terminal illness?

Yes – if you have a terminal illness you might be able to apply for some benefits under special rules. The special rules apply to any terminal illness including cancer, organ failure, dementia, and other conditions. These illnesses are not always terminal. If you have questions about your illness, it's best to speak with your healthcare professional.

The special rules vary between benefits, but might mean your claim could be fast-tracked and paid at a higher rate.

The criteria for applying under the special rules depends on which benefit you're applying for.

You can apply under the special rules for the following benefits if you have a disease that gets worse over time and your healthcare professional thinks you might have less than 12 months to live:

• Employment and Support Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Disability Living Allowance for children.

You can apply for the following Scottish benefits if you have a disease that gets worse over time and is expected to cause your death. There is no set time frame for how long you might live for:

• Adult Disability Payment
• Child Disability Payment.

Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment are only available in Scotland.

What if I do not know how long I'll live for?

It's often very difficult to predict how long someone might live for. If your doctor or nurse has not talked to you about how long you might live for, you can still ask them about supporting your claim under the special rules.

Even if you are applying under the special rules, you must still qualify for the benefit. Each benefit has different eligibility criteria.

How do I make a claim under the special rules?

You will need an additional form to be able to apply for benefits under the special rules. There are different forms depending on which benefit you're applying for, and where you live.

Read our information about the different forms, when to use them, and how to apply for benefits under the special rules.