Cancelling entitlement
Before accepting a request to cancel entitlement, you should:
- explain the impact of deciding to cancel entitlement;
- tell the individual which other Social Security Scotland benefits they might be eligible for, if any; and
- signpost the individual to independent advice services, such as the Independent Advocacy Service , ahead of making a final decision.
The impact of cancelling entitlement is that the individual will have to reapply if they want us to consider their eligibility for Child Disability Payment(CDP) at a future date.
If the individual reapplies, we’ll make a new determination of entitlement. If the outcome of the determination of entitlement is that the client is entitled to CDP, the ordinary rules on when entitlement begins will apply. Cancelling entitlement to CDP may also have an impact on the rates and premiums of any passported benefits they receive..
If the individual is certain that they want to cancel entitlement after hearing this information, then you must do this. This rule only applies if cancellation is the correct step rather than:
- making a determination without application due to a change of circumstances
- arranging for a new client representative to act on behalf of the child.
Examples
Example 1: An individual requests that CDP is cancelled
Request received to cancel benefit
Elizabeth is 17 and has significantly reduced vision in both eyes. She requires attention for a significant portion of the day and is entitled to the lower rate of the care component. Elizabeth requests that CDP is cancelled on 27 August. She reports that her eyesight improved after an operation she had recently. Her eyesight is better and she’s less anxious now.
Discussion of available options
The client advisor explains to Elizabeth that:
- the change is a change of circumstances and
- their case could therefore be subject to a review rather than cancelling entitlement.
The client advisor also explains the impact of stopping payment of CDP with Elizabeth to make sure she fully understands this decision. They discuss all options that are available to them. Elizabeth decides that she‘d like her case to be reviewed on the basis of a change in circumstances.
Client advisor reviews entitlement
The client advisor gathers supporting information and carries out a review. Elizabeth‘s still entitled to the lower rate of the care component as she still requires attention for a significant portion of the day. It‘s determined that Elizabeth’s entitlement to CDP should continue at the rate that she currently is entitled to and confirmed with Elizabeth that she wishes to continue to receive CDP.
Example: the parents of a child entitled to CDP request that it stop being paid
Clients father requests benefit to stop
Cole is 13 and has autism. He’s entitled to the lowest rate of the care component of CDP. On 12 January, Cole’s father requests that CDP stop being paid. They have recently received a large inheritance and do not wish to receive financial support in the form of CDP for Cole anymore.
Client advisor actions
The client advisor discusses the impact of cancelling CDP with Cole’s father and confirms that this is not a case where Social Security Scotland needs to make a determination without application because of a change of circumstances or find a new client representative for Cole. Before proceeding to the final cancellation process, the client advisor does a final check that he is sure about this decision. Then, the client advisor explains how to make a cancellation request. Once the request has been received, it‘s processed and Cole’s entitlement to CDP is ended.