I was very pleased to announce, as the Minister responsible at the Department for Work & Pensions, the newly expanded support available to those nearing the end of their life. The Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Act 2022 enables people at the end of life to get fast-tracked access to three, key disability benefits - Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA). It follows the same changes that were put in place for Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in April 2022.
This is a really important announcement and will allow people to focus on sharing the valuable time they have with the people who matter the most to them, at what is the hardest of times for any family, rather than worrying about their finances. I really am very proud to have helped deliver this welcome change and pay tribute to all those who worked so hard to make it happen. For more information, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/29y7f9b4. You can also see a DWP video about the announcement, as part of my recent visit to St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, here: https://fb.watch/jKCo3yj7FW/.
Now, I am helping to ensure we get the word out there in Corby & East Northamptonshire about this important change and the new help available, raising it with our local public services and advice providers, so they can best advise those that they support, or come into contact with.