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01/07/2021
Benefit Support For Terminally Ill Patients To Be Reformed
The current rules around support provided for terminally ill patients is to be reformed with an extension of the terminal illness provision in social security benefits.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey outlined her revision plans to the NI Assembly: "My priority is to reform the current rules to improve the support we provide to terminally ill people.
"I will extend the current six months criterion to twelve months and will bring forward legislation within this current Assembly mandate to do this.
"The changes I will make will apply to all of the five social security benefits to which the special rules apply.
"This is an important step forward that will mean more people who find themselves in the devastating position of being terminally ill will benefit from fast-tracked access to financial support through social security benefits.
"They will not have to go through assessments and will get automatic access to benefits earlier."
The Minister continued: "I will keep these provisions under review and consider further options for reform in the future. This will include monitoring international best practice, reviewing the definition of special rules and looking at a clinically led model in the time ahead."
Concluding, Minister Hargey said: "I am committed to making real change to the status quo in order to put in place a system that lessens the stress and anxiety for people during the most difficult times."
Welcoming the decision, Craig Harrison, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Marie Curie Northern Ireland, added: "We warmly welcome this decision by the Minister, which will help ensure many more terminally ill people get the welfare support they need, when they need it.
"This will change the lives of countless dying people in Northern Ireland for the better. The legislation required to deliver this must be passed as quickly as possible and the changes monitored to ensure they are working as well as they can."
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey outlined her revision plans to the NI Assembly: "My priority is to reform the current rules to improve the support we provide to terminally ill people.
"I will extend the current six months criterion to twelve months and will bring forward legislation within this current Assembly mandate to do this.
"The changes I will make will apply to all of the five social security benefits to which the special rules apply.
"This is an important step forward that will mean more people who find themselves in the devastating position of being terminally ill will benefit from fast-tracked access to financial support through social security benefits.
"They will not have to go through assessments and will get automatic access to benefits earlier."
The Minister continued: "I will keep these provisions under review and consider further options for reform in the future. This will include monitoring international best practice, reviewing the definition of special rules and looking at a clinically led model in the time ahead."
Concluding, Minister Hargey said: "I am committed to making real change to the status quo in order to put in place a system that lessens the stress and anxiety for people during the most difficult times."
Welcoming the decision, Craig Harrison, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Marie Curie Northern Ireland, added: "We warmly welcome this decision by the Minister, which will help ensure many more terminally ill people get the welfare support they need, when they need it.
"This will change the lives of countless dying people in Northern Ireland for the better. The legislation required to deliver this must be passed as quickly as possible and the changes monitored to ensure they are working as well as they can."
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The Executive has agreed to progress draft legislation to extend terminal illness provision in social security benefits. Proposed by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, the draft legislation extends the current six months criterion to twelve months.
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The Executive has agreed to progress draft legislation to extend terminal illness provision in social security benefits. Proposed by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, the draft legislation extends the current six months criterion to twelve months.
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Benefit Frauds 'Jailed' For False Claims
Three benefit frauds from across NI have been handed down gaol sentences for defrauding the Government of money to which they were not entitled. James Logue (45) of Main Street, Castlederg was convicted at Strabane Magistrates' court after he claimed Housing Benefit totalling £2,057 by making a false statement of occupation.
Benefit Frauds 'Jailed' For False Claims
Three benefit frauds from across NI have been handed down gaol sentences for defrauding the Government of money to which they were not entitled. James Logue (45) of Main Street, Castlederg was convicted at Strabane Magistrates' court after he claimed Housing Benefit totalling £2,057 by making a false statement of occupation.
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SDLP Highlight Strain On Elderly Carers
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Bill To Extend Terminal Illness Support Reaches Final Stage In Assembly
A new Bill to fast-track financial support for the terminally ill has reached its final stage in the Assembly, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, has announced.
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23 March 2018
Health Trust Apologises After Daughter Had To Tell Deaf Father He Was Terminally Ill
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has apologised and paid £7,000, without admission of liability, to the family of a profoundly deaf County Antrim man, now deceased, after his daughter had to tell him his illness was terminal.
Health Trust Apologises After Daughter Had To Tell Deaf Father He Was Terminally Ill
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has apologised and paid £7,000, without admission of liability, to the family of a profoundly deaf County Antrim man, now deceased, after his daughter had to tell him his illness was terminal.
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