What is a DS1500 form?

AbsolutelyClueless

Hi,

Around a month ago, my wife fell ill at home which led to a diagnosis of a brain tumour for which she was operated on and will soon undergo radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy soon.

The short term to long term diagnosis doesn't seem positive, judging by what the consultant said however, hopefully, doing the aforementioned course of treatment will help her life expectancy.

I'm starting the process for a PIP and today, a local cancer welfare benefits advisor made me aware of a form called DS1500 which was the first time I had heard of it. He said having this form makes the process for a PIP much quicker and also financially, in backdating payments.

At the moment, we are still awaiting the full information from her histology reports (the specific name of the tumour etc) so once that is at hand, the nurse specialist assigned to us or a GP would be able to produce this document. Incidentally, he said doing it via a GP would be quicker or preferred.

I'd rather have this document before I start the process but as detailed here, I need to send off some identity documents to the DWP.

Any background or pointers would be really appreciated.

Thank you

Alice_Holt

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-to-claim-if-terminally-ill/

https://www.gov.uk/pip/claiming-pip-if-youre-terminally-ill


https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/benefits-entitlements/benefits-social-care-system/ds1500-form

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/benefits-and-financial-support/personal-independence-payment

NedS

Sorry to hear your wife is unwell

A DS1500 form is issued to people who are terminally ill and have 6 months or less to live. Presenting the form when making a PIP application will mean that their application can be fast tracked and they will be awarded the benefit without having to wait for a medical assessment by DWP.

Rubyroobs

I believe the criteria has recently changed or due to change soon to a 12 month prognosis. If I were you I would say there is no harm in starting the application now by calling up. They will send you a form to complete but it can take 7-10 days to receive this and the deadline for sending back is around a month later. By this point you should know whether a Ds1500 is applicable and if so you can call them and say you are sending in a Ds1500 and you don't need to complete the whole form although they will still need details of mobility . A ds1500 will mean your wife is automatically awarded enhanced rate daily living component but mobility will depend on her level of mobility. I would not advise asking your GP for the Ds1500 - they are unlikely to know enough about her prognosis and in my years as a Macmillan Benefits advisor I have seen forms issued by Gp's rejected. It would be better coming from her Oncologist or Clinical Nurse specialist.
The PIP would only be backdated to the date you call up for the form so it would be beneficial to start the claim asap.

TELLIT01

This may help to explain https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/benefits-entitlements/benefits-social-care-system/ds1500-form

Alice_Holt

TELLIT01 said:

This may help to explain https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/benefits-entitlements/benefits-social-care-system/ds1500-form

      This link has already been posted.   


      Here is something on the 12 months period Rubyroobs mentioned:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-factual-medical-reports-guidance-for-healthcare-professionals/the-special-rules-how-the-benefit-system-supports-people-nearing-the-end-of-life

  It seems that a different form (SR1) is needed. The OP may wish to go back to his adviser for clarification.

calcotti

NedS said:

A DS1500 form is issued to people who are terminally ill and have 6 months or less to live.

That isn’t exactly correct. A medical professional can provide a DS1500 if they would not be surprised if someone died within 6 months. That is a lower test than saying someone is expected to die within 6 months.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-factual-medical-reports-guidance-for-healthcare-professionals/the-special-rules-how-the-benefit-system-supports-people-nearing-the-end-of-life

You should complete the DS1500 form promptly if you believe that your patient:

• has a progressive disease, and

• as a consequence of that disease you would not be surprised if your patient were to die within 6 months

When you provide a DS1500 to DWP, it is shared across all necessary benefits.

————

Rubyroobs said:

I believe the criteria has recently changed or due to change soon to a 12 month prognosis. 

There are two different forms. 

A DS1500 is still a 6 month form. A DS1500 can be used to support PIP and AA forms under Special Rules as well as ESA or UC.

The new SR1 form is used for those whom a 12 month test applies. An SR1 can be used to support ESA and UC under Special Rules but does not help with PIP and AA. 

The stated intention is to change the rules for PIP and ESA to a 12 month rule too, but is waiting for legislation when parliamentary time is made available,

I completely agree with Rubyroobs regarding getting the DS1500 through the CNS rather than the GP. 

missile

My wife's oncologist was unhelpful but her GP was happy to issue DS1500

calcotti

missile said:

My wife's oncologist was unhelpful but her GP was happy to issue DS1500

In that situation then obviously use GP but DWP may reject the DS1500 if they think GP has completed the form inappropriately..

AbsolutelyClueless

The advisor I spoke to said that the DS1500 form had an element of uncertainty to it that made it easier for people to benefit from it even though they might not be in a position when they have 6 months to live. He said he was aware of a DS1500 form for someone, who three years later, hadn't passed away from their illness. 

Using the wording above "would not be surprised" is open to ambiguity perhaps rather than a definite assessment. 

MissFlossy222

AbsolutelyClueless said:

The advisor I spoke to said that the DS1500 form had an element of uncertainty to it that made it easier for people to benefit from it even though they might not be in a position when they have 6 months to live. He said he was aware of a DS1500 form for someone, who three years later, hadn't passed away from their illness. 

Using the wording above "would not be surprised" is open to ambiguity perhaps rather than a definite assessment. 

A DS1500 is valid for 3 years, and a patient could then be issued with another one after that. 
I work with people who have MND and while they could be expected to die within 6 months they could also live much longer, and often do.