Medical evidence utilised in the assessment of Adult Disability Payment applications: FOI release

FOI Reference: FOI/202600504523
Date received: 2 February 2026
Date responded: 27 February 2026

Information requested

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 concerning the medical evidence utilized in the assessment of Adult Disability Payment claims. Specifically, I seek the following:

Request for information 1:

Copies of any guidelines or policies regarding the medical assessments or consultations performed by Social Security Scotland for Adult Disability Payment.

Request for information 2:

Any records relating to procedures employed to gather medical evidence on behalf of applicants. Please provide this information in electronic format. If any part of this request is unclear or if additional information is required, do not hesitate to contact me.

Response

Request for information 1 and 2:

Social Security Scotland colleagues make use of guidance when carrying out consultations and gathering supporting medical information to process the Adult Disability Payment claims of clients who have applied for this benefit. Please find attached internal guidance documents that are used by our colleagues to request supporting medical information for Adult Disability Payment clients.

In addition, some of the information you have requested is available from the ‘Consultations’ section of Social Security Scotland’s Adult Disability Payment decision making guide - Social Security Scotland.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

About FOI

Social Security Scotland is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. The Scottish Government also publishes responses to requests.