This guidance is for clinicians who have a patient with a terminal illness and need to complete a Benefits Assessment under Special Rules in Scotland (BASRiS) form to support an application for disability assistance under the special rules.
Special Rules for Terminal illness is a dedicated fast-track process for benefit applications from people who are terminally ill. To process an application through this route we need confirmation of the terminal diagnosis from a doctor or nurse.
Confirmation should be provided by completing a BASRiS form, which has replaced the SR1 form and DS1500 form in Scotland. Doctors and nurses should do this no matter how long someone is expected to live. Unlike the UK benefits system, we do not require someone to have a fixed life expectancy to apply under our fast-track process.
The BASRiS form is not an application form but is used to provide confirmation of a terminal illness diagnosis. This supporting information allows Social Security Scotland to make a decision about disability assistance under the special rules.
| Children | Which form to use |
|---|---|
| For all children living in Scotland aged 0 to 16 years | Complete a BASRiS form and return it to Social Security Scotland |
| Adults (16 – State Pension age) | Which form to use |
|---|---|
| Adults not in receipt of PIP | Complete a BASRiS form and return it to Social Security Scotland |
| Adults in receipt of PIP (for Scottish-based recipients only) | Complete a BASRiS form and return to DWP |
| Adults in receipt of DLA who were born after 08 April 1948 (for Scottish-based recipients only) | Complete a BASRiS form and return to DWP |
| Adults in receipt of DLA who were born before 08 April 1948 (for Scottish-based recipients only) | Complete a BASRiS form and return to DWP |
| People over State Pension age | Which form to use |
|---|---|
| People in receipt of Attendance Allowance or applying for Attendance Allowance before Pension Age Disability Payment is available in their area | Complete an SR1 or DS1500 and return to DWP |
| People in receipt of Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment is available in their area | Complete a BASRiS form and return to DWP |
| People applying for or in receipt of Pension Age Disability Payment once it's available in their area | Complete a BASRiS form and return to Social Security Scotland |
During the transition period, if you send a form to the wrong department, it will be transferred to the correct department. Social Security Scotland works in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in England and Wales, and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
The BASRiS form lets Social Security Scotland know that a person is terminally ill. The form provides supporting information so that Social Security Scotland can make a decision for a disability assistance award under the special rules.
The SR1 form (previously the DS1500 form) is the equivalent form used by DWP in England, Wales and Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
The BASRiS form replaces the SR1 and DS1500 for Scotland's new forms of disability assistance.
Anyone can complete an application for disability benefits under Special Rules for Terminal Illness. The individual who is terminally ill may wish to apply, or they may ask someone to help or to apply on their behalf. Someone applying on behalf of the individual must have their consent to do so.
In support of an application, the individual’s registered medical practitioner (RMP) or registered nurse (RN) must provide Social Security Scotland with the clinical judgement of terminal illness using the BASRiS form. The individual themselves or their representative- can submit the BASRiS form if they have it, or they can ask (thereby giving their consent) Social Security Scotland to contact their RMP/RN to request it.
Applications made under the special rules are handled by specially trained staff and are fast-tracked so that people with a terminal illness receive the support they are entitled to as quickly as possible.
If you have access to the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) on an NHS network, you can complete a BASRiS webform. If you do not have access to the NHS network you should use an editable PDF BASRiS form or a paper BASRiS form.
A new version of the BASRiS form was released on 15 December 2022.
The new form states that the date to be provided is the date the clinical judgement of terminal illness was made. This date may be earlier than the date the BASRiS form was actually completed and signed.
Please ensure you use the most up to date form that specifically asks for the date of the clinical judgement of terminal illness. Discard any old forms you have that only ask for the date of signing.
You can only request paper BASRiS forms if you’re a medical practitioner. Fill out the form at the bottom of the page if you need us to send you some.
If you are using an NHS device you can complete a BASRiS webform.
If you are unable to access the webform, you can complete and post a paper BASRiS form or download an editable PDF BASRiS form and submit this by email.You must refer to the Chief Medical Officer's guidance when you're completing the BASRiS form. It details how you need to explain and give evidence of your clinical diagnosis so that the form is completed correctly.
View the Chief Medical Officer's guidance
View frequently asked questions
A new version of the BASRiS form was released on 15 December 2022. Please ensure you use the most up to date form.
The new form states that the date to be provided is the date the clinical judgement of terminal illness was made. You should complete the BASRiS as soon as you make the clinical judgement, but if you complete it on a later date, you must record the date on which you made the clinical judgement of terminal illness.
Independent GP contractors and private GPs, as well as GPs and registered nurses employed by the independent contractor and private GP practices, can submit a claim on behalf of the GP practice. A registered medical practitioner or registered nurse who is employed by a third sector organisation (for example a charity) can submit a claim on behalf of that organisation.
Details of when a fee can be claimed by other medical staff are contained in the Terms and Conditions for Medical Staff in Scotland.
The clinician must complete and return the BASRiS form and the BASRiS Payment form to be able to claim a fee.
You can only claim a fee for a BASRiS form that has been submitted to Social Security Scotland along with the BASRiS Payment form.
You cannot claim for a verbal confirmation of the patient’s diagnosis over the phone. However, you can claim if you return a BASRiS form and BASRiS Payment form within 28 days of a verbal terminal illness confirmation.
You cannot claim a fee from Social Security Scotland for completing an SR1 or DS1500 form.
Requesting a BASRiS Fee form