Universal Credit if you have a terminal illness

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a benefit to help with living costs, for people who are on a low income. You can claim if you're in work, looking for work or unable to work. If you have a partner and/or children, your award can include amounts for them as well.

Universal Credit is means-tested. This means your income, savings and investments must be below a certain level to get this benefit. And how much Universal Credit you get depends on the amount of income, savings and investments you have.

It is replacing six existing means-tested benefits and tax credits. These are known as legacy benefits:

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit.

If you currently claim any legacy benefits

You may still be receiving some of the legacy benefits above, but you can no longer make a new claim for them (except Housing Benefit if you live in specified accommodation).

If you're claiming any of these benefits or tax credits and have a change of circumstances, you may need to make a new claim. The new claim will usually need to be for Universal Credit instead. This is known as natural migration. You cannot get Universal Credit at the same time as claiming any of these benefits or tax credits (except Housing Benefit if you live in specified accommodation). A claim for Universal Credit will stop you receiving these benefits or tax credits.

Find out what counts as a change in circumstances and how to report this for benefits  and tax credits.  

If you do not have a change in circumstances that requires a new claim, you do not have to do anything until you're contacted. If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you to move to Universal Credit. This is known as managed migration. If you live in Northern Ireland, the Department for Communities (DfC) will contact you.

Can I claim Universal Credit?

You may be able to claim Universal Credit if all the following criteria apply:

• You live in the UK.
• You're aged 18 or older (some exceptions apply).
• You (or your partner, if you have one) are under State Pension Age. Find out your State Pension age at GOV.UK.  
• You (and your partner, if you have one) have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments between you.

If you're 16 or 17, you might be able to claim Universal Credit if certain conditions apply. Read the full list of eligibility criteria and exceptions at GOV.UK.  

If you have a partner you live with

If you live with your partner, your partner's savings and income will be taken into account when deciding how much you can get, even if they're not eligible for Universal Credit. If only one of you is under State Pension age, you make a Universal Credit claim as a couple. When you both reach State Pension age, your Universal Credit will stop.

'Partner' includes any partner, spouse or civil partner you live with. These rules do not apply to anyone else you may live with, for example housemates, friends or lodgers.

Are there special rules for people with a terminal illness?

Yes – if you're living with a terminal illness, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit under the special rules.

How will the special rules affect my claim?

If you're eligible for Universal Credit under the special rules:

• You will get some of the benefit paid more quickly – the additional amount for 'limited capability for work and work-related activity' is paid straight away. Read more about this additional amount below.
• You will not have a Claimant Commitment (this outlines work-related requirements).
• You will not need an assessment about your ability to work (Work Capability Assessment).

If you have a terminal illness, you should tell them this when you make a claim. You will then be asked if you'd like a call back to explain the claims process and any documents you might need.

Who can apply for Universal Credit under the special rules?

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

If you apply under the special rules, you'll still have to meet the criteria to apply for Universal Credit.

It's often very difficult to predict how long someone might live for. If your doctor 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.

If you're likely to live longer than 12 months

You can still apply for Universal Credit if you're expected to live longer than 12 months. But you will not be able to apply under the special rules. You can find out more at GOV.UK   if you live in England, Wales or Scotland, or at nidirect  if you live in Northern Ireland.

You may have work-related requirements outlined in your claimant commitment. If your health condition or disability affects your ability to work you can ask to be referred for a Work Capability Assessment. This is to assess whether your health condition or disability limits your ability to work, and whether the work-related requirements attached to your claim are appropriate for you.

How much is Universal Credit?

The standard monthly amounts depend on your age and whether or not you're single: :

• If you're single and under 25: £311.68.
• If you're single and 25 or over: £393.45.
• If you're in a couple and you're both under 25: £489.23.
• If you're in a couple and either of you are 25 or over: £617.60.

Extra amounts if you have a disability or health condition or look after someone

If you have a disability or health condition, or care for someone who is severely disabled, you can also get the following extra amounts:

• Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity Element: £416.19 a month if you have a terminal illness and qualify under the special rules, or if you are not able to work or prepare for work in the future and have been assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA). If you have a terminal illness and are applying under the special rules, there is no waiting period before this element can be included. If you're not applying under the special rules, there is usually a three-month waiting period, and you'll need to have a medical assessment.
• Limited Capability for Work Element: £156.11 a month if you're not able to work, have been assessed as having limited capability for work (LCW) and you started a claim for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) before 3 April 2017.
• Carer Element: £198.31 a month if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they receive a disability-related benefit. You cannot receive the Carer Element if you also receive the Limited Capability for Work or Work-Related Activity Element. Read more about the Carer Element below.
• Transitional Severe Disability Premium Element: between £89.63 - £475.79 per month, payable if you were entitled to the severe disability premium before claiming Universal Credit. Strict conditions apply and the amount reduces over time. This can be complicated, and you may want to speak to a benefits advisor for more information. Find out where to speak to a benefits adviser.

Being entitled to the LCWRA element, also means you are eligible for a work allowance. A work allowance means you can earn a certain amount, without this affecting how much Universal Credit you get. Anything you earn over your work allowance will affect your Universal Credit. It's best to speak to a benefits adviser if you have any questions about this.

Extra amounts for children or rent

You may also get extra amounts if you have a child with disabilities, pay for childcare or need help with rent . Read more about what you could get at GOV.UK   or nidirect  if you live in Northern Ireland.

Work Capability Assessment

This section does not apply to anyone claiming Universal Credit under the special rules. If you're making a claim under the special rules, you will not need to have this assessment.

If you are unable to claim Universal Credit under the special rules, you will usually be expected to complete work-related requirements (for example to look and apply for jobs). If you have a health condition or disability you can ask to be referred for a Work Capability Assessment. This is to assess whether your illness or disability limits your ability to work, and whether the work-related requirements attached to your claim are appropriate.

There are three groups you can be placed in after this assessment:

• Fit for work. If you're fit for work, you'll need to agree to look for work suitable for your health condition, and be prepared to work.
• Limited capability for work (LCW). This means they do not think you can work right now, but you could do things to help you prepare for work, like writing a CV.
• Limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA). This means you cannot work right now, and you're not expected to prepare for work in the future. You will also be entitled to the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity Element.

Carer Element

The Carer Element (sometimes called Carers Element) is an extra amount added to Universal Credit. To get it, you need to be caring for someone for at least 35 hours a week, and they need to be receiving a disability-related benefit.

You do not have to be entitled to Carer's Allowance to have the Carer Element added to a Universal Credit claim.

How much is the Carer Element?

The Carer Element is £198.31 a month – this works out to about £49.57 a week.

How do I get the Carer Element?

You will need to tell your work coach about your caring responsibilities. The first step to do this is on your online Universal Credit journal. If you do not get a response, make sure you chase this by calling the Universal Credit helpline – contact details can be found below.

How is the Carer Element paid?

The Carer Element is paid on top of your Universal Credit payment into your account.

Carer Element and other benefits

Receiving the Carer Element could affect your benefits – it's best to speak to a benefits adviser about this. You cannot receive the Carer Element if you also receive the Limited Capability for Work or Work-Related Activity Element. It will also affect the benefits of the person you care for – if they receive the severe disability premium, they will stop getting this.

How other benefits affect Universal Credit

Some benefits affect the amount of Universal Credit that you can get, including Carer's Allowance, Statutory Sick Pay and New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). 

If you receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Attendance Allowance, these will not affect the amount of Universal Credit you get.

Contact a benefits adviser if you'd like more information about benefits that could affect your Universal Credit claim. 

How do I claim Universal Credit?

1. Check you're eligible for Universal Credit.

2. Apply online at the GOV.UK website  , or

Apply by phone or request a home visit. If you cannot apply online, you may be able to apply by phone or arrange for someone to visit you at home. These options are only for people in certain situations. For example, if you do not have regular access to the internet, or have a health condition that stops you from using a computer.

To make a phone claim or arrange a home visit, contact the Universal Credit helpline. When you call, you'll hear several options – choose 'Universal Credit queries'. Call 0800 328 5644; for Welsh language call 0800 328 1744; textphone 0800 328 1344; Relay UK 18001 then 0800 328 5644 or visit GOV.UK   to access the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service.

It is essential that once you have set up your account, you do not lose your login information. This is particularly important if you make a telephone claim.

Talk to an adviser at Citizens Advice if you need help to work out if you can claim by phone or have a home visit.  

3. If you're applying under the special rules, ask your healthcare professional to send an SR1 medical form to support your claim.

If you need help to claim

If you live in England, Wales and Scotland, you can:

• call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644, for Welsh language call 0800 328 1744, textphone  0800 328 1344, Relay UK 18001 then 0800 328 5644, or for the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service visit GOV.UK.   or
• use the Citizens Advice 'Help to Claim' service.  

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can:

• speak to your Work Coach in your local Jobs and Benefits Office – visit nidirect to find your local Jobs and Benefits Office  
• call the Universal Credit Service centre on 0800 012 1331, textphone 0800 012 1441, or visit nidirect  to access the British or Irish Sign Language video relays services.

In some cases, someone from the DWP (or a community outreach officer if you live in Northern Ireland) can visit you to help you with your benefit claim. This is only if you are eligible. You can find out more about support visits at GOV.UK.  

You can also get help from benefits advisers at organisations like Macmillan Cancer Support  , Age UK   or Maggies Centres.  

Queries about existing claims

If you have any queries about an existing claim for Universal Credit or need to report a change of circumstances, you can either:

• sign in to your Universal Credit account at GOV.UK , or
• if you live in England, Wales or Scotland call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644, for Welsh language call 0800 328 1744, for textphone use 0800 328 1344, Relay UK 18001 then 0800 328 5644, or visit GOV.UK   to access the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service, or
• if you live in Northern Ireland call the Universal Credit Service Centre – on 0800 012 1331, textphone 0800 012 1441, or visit nidirect  to access the British or Irish Sign Language video relay services.

Where can I get more help?

Some benefits can affect the other benefits that you or the person you care for get, so it's important you have the right information and advice. Here are some organisations that can provide further support:

• Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 provides general information about benefits and finances.
• Citizens Advice   has trained advisers you can speak to and provides information on your rights, including benefits, housing, employment, debt, consumer and legal issues. Search the site for your nearest bureau in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Turn2us   has a search function to find benefits advisers in your area, and provides people with financial support and information on benefits and grants.
• Macmillan Cancer Support   has welfare rights advisers you can speak to, and provides practical, medical and financial support for people affected by cancer.

Here at Marie Curie we cannot provide information about your specific benefit claim. For all queries about claims, you'll need to contact the relevant government department. 

See our list of useful organisations for more places to go for benefits advice and information.

Useful websites

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