When Social Security Scotland are unable to identify an appointee

Social Security Scotland may be unable to identify an individual to act as an Appointee. In this case, the claim must be processed to its conclusion, using the information that is available.

A person acting on behalf of the deceased person has re-determination and appeal rights. Appeals can be submitted up to 13 months after the date of the original determination. 

If the appropriate person is unknown and we have a full death certificate for the deceased client, you should complete the checklist and refer the case to the NUHU. Include the full death certificate in your referral.

If the appropriate person is unknown and we do not have a full death certificate for the deceased client, follow the contacting a client’s appropriate person to act in death guidance. Do not refer the case to NUHU without a full death certificate.

Following this, if NUHU investigate and does not identify an appropriate person, they will pass the case on to the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (KLTR) who will look into winding up the clients estate. NUHU will inform Social Security Scotland of this, who should record a note on the clients record. 

If there is no evident spouse, civil partner or blood relative following a death, the relevant authority may already have reported it to the Ultimus Haeres Unit. The Unit investigates to identify a beneficiary for a person’s estate. Social Security Scotland will be expected to have taken all reasonable steps, as set out above, to determine a beneficiary before referring to KLTR.