Supporting Information Web Article

The organisation in charge of disability benefits in Scotland needs the support of health, social care and education staff to ensure disabled people get the benefits they’re entitled to. 

Social Security Scotland administers Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment, all benefits designed to help cover the extra costs that come with a disability or long-term health condition. 

When someone applies for one of the disability benefits, they are asked to provide supporting information from a professional such as a nurse, teacher, support worker or psychologist. 

This should broadly confirm their disability or conditions and how it impacts their day-to-day functioning. 

People are asked to submit supporting information to Social Security Scotland if they have it - for example medical reports, needs assessments or care plans. 

However, they can also ask the benefits agency to contact a health, social care or educational professional to collect supporting information on their behalf. 

This means people working in a range of roles, from teaching and social work to psychology and physiotherapy, may be asked to provide information on how someone’s disability or condition impacts them.  

Requests for the information are submitted to professionals in accordance with the processes agreed between Social Security Scotland and the relevant NHS board or local authority. 

Supporting information from professionals is used by Social Security Scotland’s case managers - alongside the information provided by the person who applied for support - to make a decision on whether they are entitled to benefits. 

By providing supporting information promptly, professionals can help their patients, clients or pupils access much needed financial support as quickly as possible. 

To help make it as simple as possible for professionals to provide supporting information, Social Security Scotland has brought together all relevant guidance and resources on a new resource page - socialsecurity.gov.scot/supporting-information-resources-for-disability-benefits.