In November 2021, the 大象传媒 Shared Data Unit reported around 100 people who were denied fast-tracked disability benefits for terminal illness had died challenging the decision since 2018.
Under rules in effect at the time, patients could access benefits more quickly if their clinician said they had six months or less to live.
In July 2021 the government had promised to extend that to 12 months. Critics said it did not go far enough.
"Our priority is dealing with people's claims quickly and compassionately," the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said.
Figures released to the 大象传媒 Shared Data Unit under the Freedom of Information Act had previously revealed more than 1,000 more people across the UK had died while formally challenging their benefit decision.
In July 2021 we had also reported how the DWP had held at least 268 internal reviews into cases where people claiming benefits died or came to serious harm since February 2012. The Labour Party then called for an "urgent independent investigation".
Data and sources
The data and background methodology released to partners are available here:
Interviews and quotes
- Helena Reynolds (she/her), from Essex, who was terminally ill with intestinal failure
- Michelle McCluskey (she/her), whose mother Christine (pictured above. She/her) from Dundee was denied PIP under special rules after a terminal lung cancer diagnosis
- Dr Sam Royston (he/him), director of policy and research at the end of life charity, Marie Curie
- Susie Rabin (she/her), head of policy and campaigns at the Motor Neurone Disease Association charity
- Dr Catherine Millington-Sanders (she/her), clinical lead for palliative and end of life care for the Royal College of GPs
- Paul Alexander (he/him), policy manager at disability equality charity Scope
- Mrs Madeleine Moon (she/her), former Labour MP for Bridgend, who previously sponsored a Private Members' Bill in 2018 which proposed to remove the six-month end-of-life definition in the special rules and replace it with a clinical judgment made by an appropriate health professional
- University of York Professor of Law Charlotte O'Brien (she/her), a specialist in welfare law
- Richard Meade (he/him), head of policy and public affairs at end of life charity Marie Curie in Scotland
- The Department for Work and Pensions
Partner usage
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to the wider news industry as part of the 大象传媒 Local News Partnership. Stories written by partners based on this research included:
- Aberdeen Press and Journal: 8 November 2021
- Aberdeen Press and Journal (in print): Call for easier access to benefits support for terminally ill claimants 8 November 2021
- Berkshire Live: 15 November 2021
- Bolton Journal (in print): REVEALED: Over 350 terminal patients hit by 'cruel and arbitrary' benefits rule 8 November 2021
- The Bolton News: 8 November 2021
- Bristol Live: 8 November 2021
- Bristol Post: 8 November 2021
- Bury Times: 8 November 2021
- Cambridgeshire Live: 8 November 2021
- Cambridgeshire Live: 29 November 2021
- Cheshire Live: 8 November 2021
- Coventry Live: 8 November 2021
- Devon Live: 8 November 2021
- Free Radio (Birmingham): 8 November 2021
- Get Surrey: 8 November 2021
- Gloucestershire Live: 8 November 2021
- Greatest Hits Radio Bucks, Beds and Herts: 8 November 2021
- Greatest Hits Radio Essex (and bulletins): 8 November 2021
- Greatest Hits Radio Norfolk (and bulletins): 8 November 2021
- Greatest Hits Radio Norfolk (and bulletins): 9 November 2021
- Greatest Hits Radio Suffolk (and bulletins): 8 November 2021
- Grimsby Telegraph: 8 November 2021
- Grimsby Telegraph (Grimsby, in print): Call for changes to end-of-life benefits used by many across our town; PROCESS SLAMMED BY CHARITIES AS 'OVERLY COMPLEX AND STRESSFUL' 8 November 2021
- Grimsby Telegraph (northern Lincolnshire, in print): Call for changes to end-of-life benefits used by hundreds of local patients; UNDER CURRENT RULES, PEOPLE CAN ACCESS SUPPORT QUICKLY AND AT A HIGHER RATE 15 November 2021
- Herts Live: 8 November 2021
- Hull Daily Mail: 8 November 2021
- In Your Area: 10 November 2021
- Kent Live: 8 November 2021
- Lancashire Telegraph: 8 November 2021
- Lancs Live: 9 November 2021
- Leicestershire Live: 8 November 2021
- Lincolnshire Live: 8 November 2021
- My London: 8 November 2021
- North Wales Live: 8 November 2021
- Nottingham Post: 8 November 2021
- Oban Times: 29 November 2021
- Oxfordshire Live: 8 November 2021
- Planet Radio: 8 November 2021
- Plymouth Live: 8 November 2021
- Plymouth Live: 9 November 2021
- South London Press: 8 November 2021
- South London Press: 12 November 2021
- The Sentinel, Stoke (in print): End-of-life benefits 'need urgent action' 11 November 2021
- Suffolk News: 8 November 2021
- Teesside Live: 8 November 2021
- Wales Online: 8 November 2021
The story featured on television on the 大象传媒 News Channel and it was also reported by 大象传媒 radio stations covering Northern Ireland, London, the West Midlands, Cumbria, Three Counties, and The Solent.
Other usage
- The Express: 9 November 2021