Acceptable and unacceptable applications

The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 sets out that an application must be submitted both:

• in the form described by Social Security Scotland
• with the supporting information that is required (SS (Scotland) Act 2018 s.38(1))

Supporting information for PADP, where required, does not have to be submitted at the time of application. Case managers should refer to the Supporting Information chapter for further information about supporting information for PADP.

This supporting information may include:

• confirmation from a professional,
• supporting information to establish the individual’s entitlement

Once an application is submitted, an individual may be asked to provide further supporting information to enable a determination of entitlement to be made. Social Security Scotland can specify a time period in which the information must be provided. If sufficient information is not provided in the timeframe, the case manager can make a determination that the client does not meet the criteria (SS (Scotland) Act 2018 s.54 (1) and (2))

For more information on gathering supporting information, and when supporting information is not available, see the Supporting information chapter.

It may be that an individual:

• makes an application for PADP using a Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment application form
• does not provide any, or any relevant or suitable, confirmation from a professional
• does not provide enough information, including supporting information, to establish their level of need in order to make a determination.

In these situations, the case manager can accept the application. As the criteria differ between different forms of disability assistance, such applications may not provide the details necessary for a determination of entitlement to PADP to be made. Case managers will likely have to gather additional information from the individual or the contacts they might have provided in their application form (i.e. from a professional or their wider support network), where appropriate.

Similarly, if an individual fills in an application for PADP using an Attendance Allowance application form, it may be treated as though it was an application for PADP where there is enough information to make a determination. Attendance Allowance is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is the benefit that PADP replaces in Scotland.