Around a third of people who died from chronic illness did not receive the benefits they were entitled to in the final year of their lives, according to a new analysis.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, released for the first time, found there was significant variation by condition of people taking up non-means tested disability benefits available through the Special Rules for End of Life.
The lowest rates were among people with HIV at 41%, followed by liver disease at 42% and heart failure at 54%.
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The highest take up was for people living with neurological conditions at 90% and then dementia at 85%, the analysis found.
The analysis, which is part of a wider project led by King’s College London, also found variation between local authorities, ranging from 53% in Wokingham to 78% in Merthyr Tydfil.
After adjusting for other factors, the analysis found that 34% of people in the most deprived areas did not claim the benefits they were entitled to.
Healthcare professionals can provide access to benefits through the Special Rules for End of Life, under which they complete a form to support patients' claims.
Dr Joanna Davies, research fellow from the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care at King’s College London, said that health professionals 'do a fantastic job' speaking to patients about finances and providing this support.
But she added: 'We need to raise awareness of this support and think about how the completion of SR1 forms could be incorporated into existing processes such as digital advance care planning or palliative care registers.’
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She also highlighted concerns among some clinicians about the consequences of claiming under the Special Rules.
'The Department for Work and Pensions is clear that "there are no negative consequences for the clinician or patient if a patient who claims under the Special Rules lives longer than expected".
‘This is an important message because we know that some healthcare professionals worry about this.'
Dr Davies said her institute’s review of benefit take-up identified a lack of proactive initiatives to improve rates among people with serious illness, particularly within local authorities and voluntary and community groups.
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‘Proactive initiatives could improve take-up and should focus on the diagnosis groups and geographical areas with the lowest levels of take-up indicated in our study,’ she said.
King’s College London said that the project is funded by end-of-life charity Marie Curie and the full report will be released in April.
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