Level of award

For a number of individuals on Scottish Adult DLA, even setting a long review period will not be appropriate. Here, giving an indefinite award might be the best option. However, the considerations when deciding whether an indefinite award would be the right choice differ, depending on whether the individual is on the lower or higher rate of Scottish Adult DLA. These are set out in the indefinite awards section.

For example, an individual in receipt of the higher rate of Scottish Adult DLA whose needs are highly likely to remain the same or to increase further would benefit from an indefinite award.

An individual who is entitled to the care component only and whose care needs are highly unlikely to change, but who is likely to develop mobility needs in the medium or long term would not benefit from an indefinite award. This is because it is likely that their entitlement will increase in the future.

Similarly, an individual who is entitled to the mobility component only and whose mobility needs are highly unlikely to change, but who is likely to develop care needs in the medium or long term would not benefit from an indefinite award. This is because it is likely that their entitlement will increase in the future.

Apart from individuals who are terminally ill, there is no automatic process to make an indefinite award, for example, simply because the individual has a certain condition.

You must review the decision-making guidance on indefinite awards and must follow the process set out in the operational guidance.

You should consider all of the information available from

• the review form
• any supporting information if available

in deciding whether or not to set an award review period.