The number of people receiving disability benefits because they are terminally ill could triple under a new system to be introduced in Scotland, a panel of medical professionals has estimated.

Under the current UK approach, someone meets the definition of terminally ill if they have a progressive disease where a doctor signs off that death can reasonably be expected within six months.

But new rules for Disability Assistance will no longer require a timeframe, only needing a medical diagnosis.

Campaigners argue this is fairer and prevents discrimination against people who have terminal illnesses that are harder to predict, such as Motor Neurone Disease.

A panel of 15 medical experts with experience of the current disability benefits system and common conditions was commissioned by the Scottish government to estimate how the new rules would affect eligibility.

They said that successful applications for Disability Assistance from people with a terminal illness, with successful applications for Child Disability Payment increasing by 10%.

The changes are expected to benefit those with frailty and one or more co-morbid conditions, respiratory disease, and cancer, who might otherwise not be eligible.

Richard Meade, Marie Curie’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs in Scotland, said: “Marie Curie and MND Scotland successfully campaigned for the introduction of a fair definition of terminal illness for Scotland’s new social security system and so estimates that up to three times as many terminally ill people will now be able to access their benefits quickly, fairly and with dignity is very welcome.

“We now need to see the Scottish government roll out the new benefits system as quickly as possible so that all these people can get the financial support they need.

“People with a terminal illness should never have to worry about how to access the financial support they need but should be free to live as well as they can for as long as they can and making the most of the time they have left.”

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