- Campaigns
- September 13, 2022
Scrap 6 Months success
Reforms that allow people living with motor neurone disease (MND) to access their benefits more quickly and sensitively have been passed into law after years of campaigning by the MND Association and the MND community.
The Social Security (End of Life) Bill completed all stages in the House of Commons on 8 September 2022 and the reforms have now been fully implemented for all applicable benefits across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As a result, the “special rules” process, which provides a fast-track allowing people living with a terminal illness to access disability benefits more quickly, will now be open to people judged to have 12 months or less to live, rather than only six months under the previous rules. This will mean that more people living with MND and other terminal conditions will be able to access financial support quickly and easily, without going through lengthy assessment processes.
The passing of the Bill is culmination of the successful Scrap 6 Months campaign, led jointly by the MND Association and Marie Curie, and supported by thousands of campaigners across the country.
During the Bill’s Third Reading, MPs including Drew Hendry (SNP) Jessica Morden (Lab) and Victoria Prentis (Con) paid tribute to the work of the MND Association and Marie Curie in campaigning for this change, as well as the many campaigners and supporters who have worked tirelessly to support this important reform.
We would like to thank all our supporters and campaigners and everyone who gave their time to help achieve this success.
We are delighted to see the Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill has completed all stages in the House of Commons today.
This follows the success of the #Scrap6Months campaign and will reform the Special Rules process to better suit the needs of people with #MND pic.twitter.com/5yMdc7ieKB— MND Campaigns (@mndcampaigns) September 8, 2022
Delighted to be present for passing of all stages of the Social Security (SpeciaL Rules for End of Life ) Bill big thanks to @mndcampaigns @MarieCuriePA @jessicamordenmp @drewhendrySNP @JustinTomlinson & campaigners everywhere @HouseofCommons @mndassocWALES @vickyfoxcroft pic.twitter.com/5MlYfIdUqN
— Madeleine Moon (@MadeleineMoon) September 8, 2022