Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed news that the UK Government will reform the benefits system for terminally ill people, after supporting campaigning by the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Marie Curie, and raising the issue in Parliament last year.
In response to the ‘Scrap 6 Months’ campaign led by the charities, the Government has pledged to make it easier for people with a terminal illness to get fast-track access to financial support, including for clinicians to confirm eligibility. Crucially, it has said it will reform the rule which stipulated that people must prove they have six months or less to live before receiving fast-track access to the benefits many desperately need.
Like many terminal illnesses, motor neurone disease (MND) is difficult to predict and some people diagnosed with the disease are unable to access the fast-track process for claiming benefits, leaving them struggling financially at what is already an incredibly difficult time.
Under the new rules, people will now qualify for fast-track access if they are given a prognosis of up to a year.
James has been supporting the campaign by the charities, and in the House of Commons last year, raised the issue with the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of his constituent Tony Davies. who lives with MND, and the MND Association Community.
Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed news that the UK Government will reform the benefits system for terminally ill people, after supporting campaigning by the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Marie Curie, and raising the issue in Parliament last year.
In response to the ‘Scrap 6 Months’ campaign led by the charities, the Government has pledged to make it easier for people with a terminal illness to get fast-track access to financial support, including for clinicians to confirm eligibility. Crucially, it has said it will reform the rule which stipulated that people must prove they have six months or less to live before receiving fast-track access to the benefits many desperately need.
Like many terminal illnesses, motor neurone disease (MND) is difficult to predict and some people diagnosed with the disease are unable to access the fast-track process for claiming benefits, leaving them struggling financially at what is already an incredibly difficult time.
Under the new rules, people will now qualify for fast-track access if they are given a prognosis of up to a year.
James has been supporting the campaign by the charities, and in the House of Commons last year, raised the issue with the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of his constituent Tony Davies. who lives with MND, and the MND Association Community.
Commenting on last week's victory, he said:
“I very much welcome this commitment for change and commend the MND Association, Marie Curie and thousands of people across the country who have worked so hard on and supported this campaign.
“It will make such a difference to those with MND and other terminal illnesses in the Vale of Clwyd, easing their financial concerns and allowing them to enjoy the time they have left.
“I now call on the Government to implement it as soon as possible.”
Sally Light, CEO of the MND Association, said: “We would like to thank those MPs who have supported this really important campaign over the last three years. While it remains the case that giving an accurate prognosis for someone living with MND is near impossible, we believe the proposed change will mean the vast majority of people with MND will be able to access the fast-track process.”
