SDLP Social Justice Spokesperso Mark H Durkan has renewed the SDLP’s call to scrap the six month rule for terminally ill welfare claimants.
He has urged Minister Cara Ní Chuilín to act as a matter of priority.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I welcome the open letter to Minister Ní Chuilín, signed by more than 25 charities in the health and voluntary sector, which calls on the Minister to legislate to scrap the six month rule.
“The evidence is as clear as it is stark.
“This callous rule is causing harm to people across the North. I urge the Minister to recognise the weight of evidence and commit to action.
“The 6 month life expectancy rule is cruel and it must be scrapped without delay.
“It is despicable that people with a terminal illness should have to spend the precious time they have left battling to get support.
“The barriers they face in accessing PIP and other financial support they need and deserve is shameful.”
“This open letter follows on from a successful High Court judgement earlier this month.
“The evidence that this system must be changed is irrefutable.
“The Minister for Communities must commit to legislating to scrap this rule, at her earliest opportunity.
“We will continue to fight for a fairer and more compassionate social security system.”
