Supporting information, including the statement of support

This chapter describes the role of supporting information in Pension Age Disability Payment:

• applications
• scheduled and unscheduled reviews

It also sets out the general principles case managers must follow when

• determining whether (more) supporting information is required
• gathering supporting information, if needed.

This guidance is for case managers working for Social Security Scotland. In this chapter, the case manager will be referred to as “you.” Social Security Scotland will be referred to as “us” or “we.”

In this chapter, the term ‘individual’ can refer to both the individual who is the recipient of the benefit and the person who is assisting with, or legally managing, an individual’s Pension Age Disability Payment application or award (e.g., their third party representative or appointee). Where the guidance refers to contacting the individual, this could be their third-party representative or appointee. You should use the information provided on the application or review form to decide who would be the appropriate contact on a case-by-case basis.

This guidance uses the updated terms for the two types of supporting information. These are:

• confirmation from a professional (previously known as the one piece of supporting information from a professional)
• additional supporting information (previously known as supporting information from the client’s wider support network and additional supporting information from a professional)

These terms are explored in more detail in this chapter. When this guidance uses the term ‘supporting information,’ it is referring to both the confirmation from a professional and additional supporting information. Where you see the term ‘supporting information’ you should assume the guidance is referring to both types of supporting information unless otherwise stated. The statement of support, which is part of the PADP application form, can be either confirmation from a professional or additional supporting information. This depends on who has provided the statement.