HC Deb 08 July 1998 vol 315 c535W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what benefits are available to individuals and their carers during temporary periods of chemotherapy and other intensive treatments; [48932]

(2) what research she has evaluated into the success rate of claims for disability living allowance from people undergoing periods of chemotherapy and other intensive treatments; [48933]

(3) what assessment she has made of the effect of the rules for disability living allowance on those people undergoing periods of chemotherapy and other intensive treatments. [48934]

Mr. Denham

People who receive chemotherapy and their carers can qualify for Social Security benefits on the same basis as others who are sick or disabled or provide care, and discrete information about their claims is not collected.

The benefits designed specifically to help sick or disabled people or their carers are Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Disability Working Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Invalid Care Allowance, Statutory Sick Pay, Incapacity Benefit and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Disability Living Allowance provides help for disabled people who have had care or mobility needs for at least three months and are likely to need help with those needs for a further six months or more. People who are terminally ill and expected to live no longer than six months automatically qualify for the highest rate of Disability Living Allowance care component.