Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, is backing a campaign that will enable more terminally ill people to access benefits more quickly and easily, regardless of the condition they have.

The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and Marie Curie are working together to push for a change in the law that will enable more terminally ill people get quicker access to the benefits they need to live well until they die.

Currently, someone is only considered terminally ill if there is a reasonable expectation of having six or less months left to live.  The change in the law would allow doctors to determine whether a person is terminally ill, instead of an arbitrary time-limit decided in years gone-by.  This would mean that people with complex and unpredictable terminal illnesses, such as motor neurone disease, could apply for benefits in a way far better suited to their needs and circumstances.

Justin said:

“Chances are, we all know someone who’s been affected by a terminal illness, so it’s absolutely crucial that we make sure that anyone facing such a difficult time gets all the care and support they need, when they need it.

“The current welfare system for terminally ill people is unfair and outdated, and results in cruel and distressing treatment for people who are at the end of their lives. Nobody with a terminal illness should have to face multiple assessments and back-to-work interviews when the stark fact is that they are dying and have limited time left.  That is why I’m backing the ‘scrap6months campaign’.”

More information about the campaign can be found at:

www.mariecurie.org.uk/policy/campaigns/scrapsixmonths

and

www.mndassociation.org/get-involved/campaigning-influencing/scrap-six-months/