(2) whether recipients of (a) disability living allowance and (b) attendance allowance under special rules are required to qualify for support through the social care system in order to be eligible to claim each benefit.
The Special Rules provision applies to individuals who are in the last stages of a progressive disease and who are expected to die within six months. The individual's GP or other health care professional submits a medical report to the Department confirming the diagnosis. Those who meet this criterion do not need to serve the normal qualifying periods for attendance allowance and disability living allowance before receiving benefit assistance. There is no requirement to qualify for support though the social care system in order to be eligible to claim these benefits.