Terminal illness: the financial help and support you can get

Terminal illness? Get benefits fast-tracked

The benefits you could get quicker

All of the benefits in the table below can be fast-tracked under the Special Rules, and we've included any extra or increased payments you might expect to get if you qualify.

PIP, Attendance Allowance, New Style ESA and DLA for children are not means-tested – so income and savings do not affect eligibility, though ESA has National Insurance contribution conditions.

Universal Credit is means-tested, so your income, savings and household circumstances still affect whether you can claim and how much you get.

How to claim under the Special Rules

You do not need to work out for yourself whether you meet the Special Rules. Speak to the doctor, nurse or other medical professional involved in your care – they can decide whether they think the rules apply and complete the supporting form:

1. Ask the medical professional supporting you to start the process. If they think you meet the Special Rules, they’ll complete an SR1 form – called a BASRiS form in Scotland. You do not need to get the form yourself.

2. Make the benefit claim and say it is under the Special Rules. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, use the usual claim route for the benefit. In Scotland, shorter forms are available for some disability benefits. See our Benefits Check for more on benefits available.

3. The medical professional will usually send the form directly. If they give it to you instead, it will explain how to return it online, by email or post.

4. Get someone to help with the claim if needed. For Attendance Allowance, PIP and Disability Living Allowance for children, someone else can make a claim for you under the Special Rules. For Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, someone making a claim on your behalf will usually need to be your appointee or have Power of Attorney in place.

Your claim will be prioritised, but there is no published standard decision time for Special Rules claims in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, you should hear back within seven working days, though Social Security Scotland has told us that it's typically much quicker.

Cut your Council Tax bill – possibly to £0

Council Tax bills are often one of the most significant of household costs, but there are means to cut them down - in some cases to nothing (note, Northern Ireland uses domestic rates not Council Tax).

Recently, a number of councils have introduced a specific discount for people living with a terminal illness (often a 100% reduction). You should check your local council's website to see if they offer this, what the criteria is, and how to apply.

If your council doesn't offer a discount specifically for your terminal diagnosis, there's a number of other discounts you might be eligible for:

• On low income and/or claiming certain benefits. If you're on a low income or claim benefits, such as Universal Credit, your household may qualify for a Council Tax reduction – which can be as much as 100%. It doesn't matter if you own your home or rent, or whether you're employed or not. (If you get the ‘guaranteed’ part of Pension Credit you could be eligible for a full reduction)

• Have a live-in carer. If someone who isn’t your partner, spouse or parent (if you’re under 18) is looking after you for an average of at least 35 hours a week your home could qualify for 25-50% discount.

• Had your property adapted for a disability. If you can demonstrate your home has been adapted for a disabled person, then you might be eligible to drop a Council Tax band. If your property is already in band A (the lowest band) your bill will be reduced by 17% instead.

• Your property is empty. If you've moved into a hospital, care home or hospice you won’t need to pay Council Tax.

• Adults who are severely mentally impaired (SMI). You could qualify for up to 100% discount if you also have a qualifying benefit such as Attendance Allowance or PIP. The SMI might be related to your terminal illness, such as if you have Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, or be separate from it – for example if you have profound learning difficulties.

Once approved, your council should issue a revised bill and may refund or credit any overpayment. Don’t cancel your Direct Debit until it confirms the new amount.

Important: Council Tax discounts can be issued on a discretionary basis, especially if you're in financial hardship. If you don't fall neatly into one of the above or if you're just not sure what you qualify for, it's worth contacting your council and telling them about your circumstances.

See our full guide on Council Tax discounts for more details on the discounts available.

Need to adapt your home? You may be able to get a grant

A terminal illness can bring a lot of additional care needs. If you need to make changes to your home to make it suitable to live in, you might be able to get funding from your local authority through a Disabled Facilities Grant (there's a similar scheme in Scotland called the Scheme of Assistance).

Tell the council or occupational therapist that your condition is deteriorating and the work is urgent. It's worth noting the following:

• A terminal diagnosis should not stop you getting help because you may not remain in the home for the usual five-year period.

• Don’t start work or pay a contractor before the council has approved the grant.

• The amount available, whether your income and savings are considered, and how you apply vary by nation and local authority.

Get help with care costs – at home or in a care home

If you need help with personal care, getting dressed, washing, preparing meals, moving around or staying safe, ask for a free care needs assessment. Contact your local council’s adult social care team, or ask your GP, nurse, hospice team, hospital discharge team or social worker to refer you.

The assessment looks at the care, equipment and adaptations you need. It may lead to help at home, respite care or support in a care home. You may need to contribute towards costs, depending on your income, savings and where you live.

If your health is deteriorating quickly:

• England and Wales: ask about NHS Continuing Healthcare and the Fast Track process. A clinician can arrange urgent care without the usual full assessment if you have a rapidly deteriorating condition and may be entering the terminal phase of life. NHS Continuing Healthcare is not means-tested and you don't need to pay for it.

• Scotland: ask your council for a social work assessment. You may be eligible for free personal and nursing care.

• Northern Ireland: contact your local Health and Social Care Trust. If you are leaving hospital, your needs should be assessed and a care package arranged before discharge.

A hospice social worker or palliative-care team can also explain your options and help make referrals.

Still working? Know your rights and options

When it comes to working, or deciding not to work, after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, there's no one right decision. It all depends on your own circumstances: your financial situation, your specific illness and how it's affecting your health as well as how long you're expected to live for example.

Whether you choose to continue working, cut your hours, move jobs or leave work altogether – you have rights in the workplace and are likely protected by law from discrimination. This means your employer can't fire you or make you redundant because of your illness (although if you can no longer perform your job despite reasonable adjustments, they might have grounds to let you go).

Sick pay: what you may be entitled to

If you stop work because of illness, check your contract for company sick pay and whether you qualify for Statutory Sick Pay.

If these end or are unavailable, you may be able to claim benefits or use an income-protection policy. See our full sick pay guide.

You can ask your employer to make changes

It’s likely that, if you’re terminally ill, you’ll be considered disabled – meaning you are protected by laws around discrimination and have the right to request reasonable adjustments so you can continue your work. These might include:

• Making changes to your role. It might not be possible for you to complete certain aspects of your work now, for example trips/visits, so you can discuss adjustments to the scope of your role and responsibilities.

• Working from home, adjusting your working hours or asking for flexible hours.

• Asking for specific equipment you might now need to complete your work or access your workplace. For example, you may now need to use a wheelchair due to your illness so would need an accessible entrance to your workplace.

Check your death-in-service cover before leaving work

Some employers offer a death-in-service benefit, also called workplace life assurance. It usually pays a lump sum to your chosen beneficiaries if you die while you are still employed. The amount is often a multiple of your annual salary – for example, two, three or four times your pay – but the rules and amount vary by employer.

This can be an important consideration if you are thinking about resigning, retiring or agreeing to ill-health retirement. In many schemes, cover ends when your employment ends. However, some schemes continue cover while you are on sick leave or receiving a long-term sickness benefit.

Before making a decision, ask HR or the scheme administrator – in writing:

• Whether you have death-in-service cover and how much it would pay

• Who would receive the payment, and whether your beneficiary nomination is up to date

• Whether cover continues during sick leave, a period of contractual sick pay or group income protection

• Exactly when cover would end if you resign, retire, are dismissed on capability grounds or take ill-health retirement; and

• Whether there are other benefits, such as group income protection or an ill-health pension.

If you can't continue working, sick pay, income protection, benefits and early access to a pension may help with your income, but they do not usually replace a death-in-service payment for your family. It is also worth checking whether you already have personal life insurance or pension death benefits.

Death-in-service benefits are not compulsory, and the tax treatment and scheme rules can vary. Do not resign or agree to end your employment until you understand the effect on all your workplace benefits.

Too ill to work? You may be able to take your pension early

Usually, you have to be 55 (57 from April 2028) to take any money from your personal pensions. But if you're younger and unable to work due to being unwell you might be able to access your money early – this is called 'ill-health retirement'.

Whether this is an option for you will all depend on your specific pension scheme, so it's important to check the details.

Consider any pension options carefully

Taking money from your pension early is a major decision, so get free guidance before you act. You might want to consider:

You do not have to take everything as one lump sum. Depending on your scheme, options may include regular income, flexible withdrawals or an annuity – which may be able to continue paying a partner after you die.

Our guides on How to take your pension and Inheriting a pension cover this subject in more details.

How to apply to take your pension early

Typically, to claim your pension in this way you’ll need to:

1. Gather medical evidence to support your claim. You'll usually need a declaration signed by your doctor confirming that you can't work due to ill-health.

2. Contact your pension provider to find out the rules for ill-health retirement. They’ll guide you through the application process, which may include filling out specific forms and providing detailed health information.

3. Your pension scheme will see if you meet their criteria for ill-health retirement. They'll look at whether you're unable to do your job or potentially any job, depending on your condition and your pension scheme rules.

4. If you're approved, your provider will present you with your options. These might be taking the money as regular pension payments, a lump sum, or a combination of both. See our How should I take my pension guide for more information on this area.

If you have less than 12 months to live and are under 75, you may be able to take your whole pension as a tax-free lump sum (as long as it's within your lump sum and death benefit allowance). You'll need to have support from a medical practitioner. Speak to your pension provider about whether this is available to you.

Get advice and support from charities

Charities can offer practical advice, emotional support, help with care and benefits, and sometimes grants towards essential costs. Start with:

• Child bereavement UK - offer free online grief support to children and young people (up to 25) who are bereaved or facing the death of someone important, and the parents and carers of babies and children who are dying or have died.

• Marie Curie – support for anyone affected by any terminal illness, including a free support line, practical information, bereavement help and local services.

• Sue Ryder – provides palliative care, bereavement support and practical information for people with a terminal illness and those close to them.

• Maggie’s – offers free, in-person and online support for people with cancer, including help with money worries, work, benefits and emotional wellbeing. No referral needed.

• Macmillan Cancer Support – support for people with cancer, including benefits and money advice, work guidance, a support line and local services finder.

• Turn2us Grants Search – a free tool to search for charitable grants. These can sometimes help with essential items, household costs, equipment or short breaks, depending on your circumstances, health condition and work history.
  
  Tip: When using the Turn2us search, include previous jobs or industries worked in by your partner or close family too, as some occupational charities can help relatives.

Discounted experiences

There are a number of charities which offer experiences or trips for free or discounted prices for terminally ill people. These charities include Something to look forward to, Purple Heart Wishes and Willow.

Some attractions might also offer discounts or special promotions disabled guests directly, so it's always worth checking websites. For example, a number of attractions (like Alton Towers or Hampton Court Palace) offer free companion or carer tickets for a disabled person if you meet certain requirements.

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