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Adult Disability Payment processing times and supporting information

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 11th July 2023
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An update on Adult Disability Payment processing times.

Less than a year ago, Social Security Scotland rolled out Adult Disability Payment across Scotland. Since then most people have had a decision within four months. However, some people are still waiting an unacceptably long time. Social Security Scotland have therefore introduced a number of actions to reduce the time it takes for people to get a decision. This includes;

  • redeploying staff to help with processing applications
  • drawing more on the expertise of our in-house health and social care practitioners to support case discussions earlier
  • making changes to the way we handle calls to reduce waiting times.

As a result of these measures, more cases are reaching a decision per week than ever before.   These measures are also making it easier for professionals to submit supporting information to Social Security Scotland and have introduced a payment to third-sector organisations who provide us with supporting information on our request.

Additional work is underway to make it clearer to applicants what helpful supporting information looks like. The research has found some people have the supporting information to hand but do not realise it. This might be because they are not clear on the kinds of documents that are useful, such as:

  • social care assessments
  • prescription lists
  • or appointment letters.

However, it can also be because people don’t realise supporting information can come from a range of professionals. For example, if someone regularly sees a counsellor, physical therapist or support worker, they could be a better source of supporting information than a GP they may not have contacted for some time. 

Find out more examples of supporting information, available on MyGov.Scot and share this information to help get the word out.

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