§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the arrangements will be to notify people with terminal illnesses of the results of their applications for disability living allowance; whether this notification will indicate that the reason for qualification is linked to their terminal illness; if he will accept requests to notify carers rather than applicants: if he will publish the wording of notifications to both applicants and carers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottPeople awarded disability living allowance (DLA) on the ground that they are terminally ill will be sent notification of this decision. The award notice will tell the customer that they have been awarded the higher rate of DLA for help with personal care; it will make no mention of terminal illness. This notification will be accompanied by an information sheet explaining the criteria for awards of benefit at the available rates and rights of appeal where a person is unhappy with the decision on their claim.
Under special provisions, a third party may make a claim on behalf of a terminally ill person but the law still requires that the notification of the decision should be sent to the person on whose behalf the claim has been made, except where a third party has been appointed to act on behalf of a customer who is unable to handle their own affairs. Again, the notification to the customer makes no mention of terminal illness.
I will send the hon. Member a sample notification and information sheet shortly.