Terminal Illness
If you are terminally ill or someone you know is, there may be benefits, grants or other support available to you.
Definitions of terminal illness
Terminal illness in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - You have a terminal illness if you have a progressive disease, and your doctor thinks you have twelve months or less to live.
Terminal illness in Scotland – You have a terminal illness if your doctor thinks you have a progressive disease which can reasonably be expected to lead to your death.
Benefits
If you are terminally ill or someone you know is, there may be benefits available to you.
To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily, you can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator. The calculator cannot tell you what benefits you will be entitled to as a result of your terminal illness, but it can show you whether you would be entitled to extra means-tested benefits if you get disability benefits.
To read more about the benefits available for people who have a terminal illness, select from the list.
Attendance Allowance
If you have care needs and are over pension age.
Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
If you live in Scotland, are aged between 16 and State Pension age and have extra care or mobility needs (difficulty getting around) as a result of a disability.
Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
If you live in Scotland, and your child is aged under 16 and has extra care needs or mobility needs (difficulty getting around) as a result of a disability.
Disability Living Allowance (children up to age 16)
If you live in England Wales or Northern Ireland, and your child is aged under 16 and has extra care needs or mobility needs (difficulty getting around) as a result of a disability.
Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland)
Pension Age Disability Payment is money for people of pension age in Scotland, who have care needs because of physical or mental disability
Personal Independence Payment
If you're under pension age and have extra care or mobility needs.
Turn2us Benefits Calculator
To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily, you can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator.
Unable to work
If you are unable to work due to your terminal illness, you may be able to claim one of the benefits in the list.
Universal Credit
If you are aged between 16 and 66 and on a low income or aren’t working. It includes amounts for illness and disabilities. For new claimants, Universal Credit replaces the help that used to be provided through income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Severe Disability Premium
Check if you can get an extra amount included in your income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Housing Benefit or Pension Credit.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you are aged 16 or over and under State Pension age and are unable to work because of a terminal illness. You have to have made enough national insurance contributions and you can’t be getting Statutory Sick Pay.
Working Tax Credit
If you are already getting tax credits and satisfy the eligibility criteria, you might be able to get an extra amount in your working tax credits because of your disability.
Statutory Sick Pay
If you are an employee, you are sick and unable to work.
Caring for someone
If you are caring for someone who is terminally ill, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. See our carers guide to find out what benefits, grants, and other financial support is available.
Information for Carers
Read an overview of what financial support you might be able to get if you are a carer.
Related information
Grants
To find out what help may be available from grant-giving charities, you can use the Turn2us Grants Search.
Advice and support
Turn2us is unable to offer advice on individual situations. To find an adviser in your area to discuss your situation with you can use the Turn2us Find an Adviser.
Further resources
Marie Curie
End of life charity providing information and support on terminal illness.
Sue Ryder
Palliative, neurological and bereavement support charity providing support.
Maggie's Centre
Support to anyone with cancer and their families.