DWP decision fast-tracked for urgent decision - can this be done?

brenda213
brenda213 Community member Posts: 1 Listener
edited July 2017 in Benefits and income
My husband had,a ftf last week he has,been diagnosed with stomach cancer the assessor told us she would fast track her report to DWP for a urgent decision based on her findings can she do this 

Comments

  • Liam_Alumni
    Liam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,088 Empowering
    Hi @brenda213,

    Welcome to Scope's online community! It's great to have you on board.

    I've had a quick look on Citizens Advice, and DWP can fast-track an application if the applicant has a terminal illness. Is this the case?

    I have also moved your post to our Ask a Benefits Advisor category, where @BenefitsTrainingCo may be able to offer some more detailed advice.

    I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, then please do get in touch.
  • BenefitsTrainingCo
    BenefitsTrainingCo Community member Posts: 2,621 Trailblazing

    Hi @brenda213

    @LiamO_Dell is right in saying that the DWP will fast-track cases where there is terminal illness (usually a form DS1500 would have to be provided for them to do this).

    But also, contrary to popular belief, the DWP decision-making department is staffed by humans, who are able to prioritise their work how they see fit. It is uncommon for them to take pity on claimants where there is no terminal illness, and it may be the case that the medical assessor's requests for the matter to be expedited fall on deaf ears, but certainly it is possible.

    From the perspective of working in benefits law for a while, I can think of many occasions where I have persuaded decision makers to look at things more quickly, so presumably medical assessors could do this if they so wished...

    I hope they do for you!

    Kind regards,

    Mary

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