Deciding entitlement for terminally ill clients

MSD can consider granting Supported Living Payment if MSD are satisfied the client is:

• both permanently and severely restricted in their capacity for work because of a health condition, or injury or disability, from an accident, or condition they have had since birth or
• totally blind

Note totally blind and legally blind are not the same.

Permanently means the health condition, injury or disability is expected to continue for at least 2 years, or a terminal illness where the client is not expected to live more than 2 years.

If a client is terminally ill with a life expectancy of less than 2 years, they will be given simplified access to Supported Living Payment and never be medically reassessed. It is important to keep the requirement to provide medical evidence to a minimum. The client may be able to provide:

• existing medical specialist assessment or
• written confirmation from their registered medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or psychologist or
• an MSD medical certificate from their medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or psychologist

The information needs to be recent.

Note if a client is terminally ill and provides a medical certificate, the registered medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or psychologist will generally indicate the client is getting or would qualify for palliative services. Palliative services focus on managing symptoms of a disease rather than seeking a cure (e.g. hospices are an example of a palliative care provider).

MSD should refer to the Regional Health Advisor and Regional Disability Advisor for advice when:

• the client may qualify to be given simplified access due to terminal illness
• MSD is not satisfied by the information provided that the client meets the medical criteria for Supported Living Payment

Note MSD must seek advice from the Regional Health Advisor and Regional Disability Advisor before deciding whether to grant Supported Living Payment giving simplified access.

If the information MSD has confirms the client meets the criteria for Supported Living Payment, MSD can consider granting Supported Living Payment.

MSD also needs to decide if the client's eligibility should be reassessed:

• in 2 years or
• never (if the client qualifies to be given simplified access)

Note if the Regional Health Advisor and Regional Disability Advisor determines the information MSD has confirms the client meets the criteria to be given simplified access to Supported Living Payment due to a terminal illness, the client will never be medically reassessed.