Rejecting an application

When there is not enough information to make a determination about entitlement, an application may be rejected.  

Rejecting an application is not the same as a determination that an individual is not entitled to assistance.

An application is rejected before the eligibility criteria have been considered.  

The required forms and supporting information must go with the application. Social Security Scotland may reject an application because an individual: 

• has not made an application in the form that is set out by Social Security Scotland 
• has not provided the appropriate supporting information (Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, section 38(1))

For example, where a carer has completed a Carer’s Allowance application form instead of a Carer Support Payment application form and we have been unable to contact them to make a declaration, Social Security Scotland should reject the application.  

If an application is rejected, the client adviser must inform the individual of the decision to reject their application, and: 

• explain the reason for the decision  
• state the individual’s right to appeal the rejection    

An individual cannot request a re-determination. This is because a client adviser does not make a determination when rejecting an application.  

If Social Security Scotland reject an application, the individual can appeal the decision. They have 31 days to appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal for Scotland. This starts from the date that Social Security Scotland informed them of the decision (Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, section 61(2)).