PIP Special Rules for End of Life 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: If a healthcare professional is unsure whether a patient meets the 12-month Special Rules threshold, what should they do?
- Use their clinical judgment; the rules apply if death 'could reasonably be expected' within 12 months (Correct answer)
- Refuse to complete the SR1 form
- Wait until the prognosis is certain before completing the SR1
- Refer the case to DWP's medical team for a decision
Correct answer: Use their clinical judgment; the rules apply if death 'could reasonably be expected' within 12 months
The threshold is 'could reasonably be expected,' so professionals should use their clinical judgment and err on the side of completing the SR1.
Question 2: Under Special Rules for End of Life, does the claimant need to meet the normal PIP 'daily living' descriptor point threshold?
- No, the enhanced Daily Living rate is awarded without meeting any point threshold (Correct answer)
- Yes, they must still score at least 8 points
- Yes, they must still score at least 12 points
- They must score at least 4 points for the standard rate
Correct answer: No, the enhanced Daily Living rate is awarded without meeting any point threshold
Special Rules bypasses the points-based assessment entirely for the Daily Living component, awarding the enhanced rate automatically.
Question 3: A person diagnosed with a terminal illness is too unwell to contact DWP themselves. Which of the following can make the initial PIP claim on their behalf?
- A friend, family member, carer, or other third party (Correct answer)
- Only a solicitor with power of attorney
- Only the person's GP
- Only a Citizens Advice adviser
Correct answer: A friend, family member, carer, or other third party
Any trusted person — a friend, family member, or carer — can phone DWP to start a PIP claim on behalf of someone who is too ill to do so.
Question 4: What is the key clinical requirement that must be stated on an SR1 form for a PIP Special Rules claim to succeed?
- That the patient has a progressive disease and could reasonably be expected to die within 12 months (Correct answer)
- That the patient is housebound and cannot leave home unassisted
- That the patient has been receiving chemotherapy for at least 6 months
- That the patient is registered with a palliative care team
Correct answer: That the patient has a progressive disease and could reasonably be expected to die within 12 months
The SR1 must confirm a progressive disease with a reasonable expectation of death within 12 months; other factors alone are insufficient.
Question 5: Does claiming PIP under Special Rules for End of Life affect a claimant's entitlement to a Blue Badge?
- Receiving the enhanced rate Mobility component of PIP may qualify them for a Blue Badge automatically (Correct answer)
- No, Blue Badge entitlement is entirely separate and unaffected
- Special Rules PIP claimants are banned from holding a Blue Badge
- Yes, Blue Badge is automatically granted with any Special Rules PIP award
Correct answer: Receiving the enhanced rate Mobility component of PIP may qualify them for a Blue Badge automatically
If Special Rules results in an enhanced rate Mobility component, the claimant may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge in most of the UK.
Question 6: Under Special Rules for End of Life, can a claimant request a mandatory reconsideration if they disagree with a decision on their Mobility component?
- Yes, normal appeal and mandatory reconsideration rights still apply to the Mobility component (Correct answer)
- No, Special Rules claimants waive all appeal rights
- Only if the claim was refused entirely
- No, Mobility decisions under Special Rules are final
Correct answer: Yes, normal appeal and mandatory reconsideration rights still apply to the Mobility component
Standard appeal rights, including mandatory reconsideration, apply to the Mobility component even when Special Rules are in force.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes why the Special Rules for End of Life were extended from 6 months to 12 months in April 2023?
- To allow more people with life-limiting conditions to access support earlier, while they could still benefit from it (Correct answer)
- To reduce the government's benefit expenditure
- To align PIP with Attendance Allowance rules only
- Because the 6-month rule was found to be legally unenforceable
Correct answer: To allow more people with life-limiting conditions to access support earlier, while they could still benefit from it
The extension to 12 months was designed to give more terminally ill people access to financial support earlier in their illness.
PIP Special Rules for End of Life 5
If a healthcare professional is unsure whether a patient meets the 12-month Special Rules threshold, what should they do?