The higher rate of the care component ( £67.00 per week) is paid to those people who are terminally ill and can expect to die within the next six months.
The three-month qualifying period does not apply in such cases, neither does the 26 week "presence" test- all you need to show is that you have a progressive illness which is likely to result in your death within the next six months.
There should be a connection between your disease and the expected cause of death. This is important for Aids and motor neurone patients whose condition makes them vulnerable to other conditions (like pneumonia) which may be the immediate cause of death.
Your death, as a result of your progressive disease should be "reasonably expected within six months." nobody can say with any certainty exactly when you are going to die but the DSS must be satisfied that it is reasonable to expect your death within six months. You may live for five months or ten months- this doesn't matter. What counts is your expectation at the time you apply.
When you apply you are asked to send a factual statement from your doctor or consultant in support of your claim.
In order to be awarded the mobility component you still have to pass one of the criteria although the qualifying period is ignored- you do not need to have had mobility needs for three months before you apply under this category.
Benefit is only paid weekly if you are terminally ill.
