Get benefits if you're nearing the end of life

You could get money to help with living costs if you’re nearing the end of life because of an illness.

If your doctor or a medical professional has told you that you might have 12 months or less to live, you might be able to:

  • get benefits at a higher rate or get extra money
  • start getting payments quicker than usual

This is sometimes called ‘special rules for end of life’.

If you get special rules for 3 years, your claim will be reviewed.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Making your claim

You can apply for benefits straight away.

You should also ask a medical professional to fill in form SR1 so you can get the benefit you applied for under special rules. They will have the form.

Medical professionals include:

  • GPs
  • hospital doctors
  • registered nurses (for example, Macmillan nurses or specialist nurses)

They will send the form to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support your benefit application, or you can send it yourself. The address is on the form.

You only need one SR1 form, even if you apply for more than one benefit.

Applying on behalf of someone else

You’ll 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’ve 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 how to claim Attendance Allowance.

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 12 months, contact the Disability Service Centre.

If you’re under State Pension age

If you’re 16 or over and have not reached State Pension age, check if you’re eligible for these benefits:

  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Universal Credit
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

You may be eligible to get 2 or 3 of these benefits at the same time, depending on your circumstances.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You can apply for ESA to get help with costs if you’re ill or disabled and cannot work. Find out how to claim ESA if you’re eligible.

You need to report a change of circumstances if you’re already getting ESA but your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months.

Universal Credit

You can apply for Universal Credit to get help with your living costs if you’re on a low income or out of work. Find out how to claim Universal Credit if you’re eligible.

You need to report a change of circumstances if you’re already getting Universal Credit but your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Find out how to claim PIP if you might have 12 months or less to live.

You need to report a change of circumstances if you already get PIP but your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months.

If you already get DLA for adults

DLA for adults has been replaced by PIP. If you already get DLA for adults but your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months, you can contact the Disability Service Centre to report a change of circumstances.

If your child might have 12 months or less to live

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children

DLA for children helps with extra costs if your child is under 16 and has difficulty walking or needs extra looking after. If your child is 16 or over you can apply for PIP instead.

Find out how to claim DLA for children.

You need to report a change of circumstances if you already get DLA for children but your child’s condition has worsened and they’re not expected to live more than 12 months.

If you’re eligible, you could get Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance at the same time as DLA for children.

If you’re caring for someone

You may be eligible for financial support if you care for someone who is nearing the end of life.

If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, check if you can get Carer’s Allowance.

If you care for someone at least 20 hours a week and you’re under State Pension age, check if you can get Carer’s Credit.

Help and support

If you need support after your diagnosis or with applying for benefits you can get help from the following:

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