Beginning an application

An individual can begin an application either by phone or online. This is Part 1 of the application process.

Once they have started, the individual has 8 weeks to return the completed Part 2 of the application in order to ensure their entitlement to Adult Disability Payment begins on the date they completed Part 1. If an application is submitted after the 8 week period, the date of their entitlement may be later, depending on whether they have good reason for having submitted it late e.g. they have been in hospital.

An individual will be notified when their application has been received by Social Security Scotland if they have opted to receive notifications. When Part 1 of an application has been made but Part 2 has not yet been submitted online or received by post, they will receive a reminder two weeks before the end of the 8 week period.

To complete Part 1 of the application process, an individual must provide the minimum data required to link them to a unique record within the IT system, 4 known as SPM (Social Programme Management). This is known as the ‘required data’ and must include:

• the full name of the applicant
• the date of birth of the applicant