Fast-tracked applications for terminally-ill people

Healthcare professionals play a key role in helping terminally-ill people get faster access to the maximum possible disability benefit payment by making sure they are aware of our fast-tracked application route.      

Terminally-ill people who are applying for disability benefits in Scotland can have their application prioritised and processed quickly through the Special Rules for Terminal Illness. Eligible people will automatically get the highest possible payment.   

When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, a registered doctor or nurse involved in the patient’s diagnosis and/or care should complete a Benefits Assessment under Special Rules in Scotland (BASRiS) form as outlined in the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance. This can then be submitted directly to Social Security Scotland and we can invite the terminally-ill person to apply for a disability benefit.   

When applying, the terminally-ill person or the person supporting them only needs to complete a short application form that asks for basic details. The Benefits Assessment under Special Rules in Scotland (BASRiS) form can be submitted at this point if it is not already held by Social Security Scotland or we can request it from a clinician on a patient’s behalf.    

The BASRiS form confirms that someone is terminally-ill, allowing us to fast-track their application. It can only be completed by registered doctor or nurse involved in the person’s diagnosis and/or care.     

If a Department for Work and Pensions SR1 or DS1500 form has already been completed, we will accept this.     

For terminally-ill people, our decision-making process is time critical. Prompt receipt of a BASRiS form is an essential part of this expedited process and we rely on healthcare professionals to assist us. Clinicians can claim a fee for completing and submitting a BASRiS form to Social Security Scotland.   

One key difference to this process in Scotland is the definition of terminal illness. We do not expect doctors to give a specific time frame for how long someone is expected to live, unlike the current Department for Work and Pensions process. Additionally, terminally-ill people get a lifetime award, which is not reviewed unless their circumstances change.     

Once we have received the completed BASRiS form and short application form, we normally make decisions within a few days.      

Our fast-tracked application route is available under these special rules for Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment. It will also be available for Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - More information on how to apply is available here.      

People receiving a disability benefit from Social Security Scotland who are later diagnosed as terminally ill, should contact us as soon as possible. People can call free on 0800 182 2222 and our specialist advisors will take them through the process.      

To find out more about disability benefits visit mygov.scot/benefits  and mygov.scot/terminal-illness/transferring-your-award for information on awards transferring from the Department for Work and Pensions.