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Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illnesses

Asked by Luke TaylorLiberal DemocratDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 20 October 2025UIN 77780

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to review the effectiveness of the Special Rules for End of Life fast-tracking benefits system.

Answered by Sir Stephen Timms

The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the fast-tracked access to benefits via SREL is maintained, while continuing to keep the effectiveness and efficiency of current system delivery under review.

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