Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
FOI Reference: FOI/202500456059
Date received: 26 February 2025
Date responded: 26 March 2025
Information requested
Request for Information 1: Confirmation of the most common reason for denial of funeral support payment as of January 2025.
Request for Information 2: Confirmation of the most common dispute which was raised during re-determination cases as of January 2025.
Request for Information 3: Confirmation of the most common reason for denial of re-determination cases as of January 2025.
Response
Request for Information 1:
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the costs of locating, retrieving and providing the information requested would exceed the upper cost limit of £600.
Social Security Scotland would have to review over 7,000 denied client applications up to January 2025.
Under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.
You may, however, wish to consider reducing the scope of your request in order that the costs can be brought below £600 by asking for information for a specific month. You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at: https://www.foi.scot/how-do-i-ask
Request for Information 2:
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the costs of locating, retrieving and providing the information requested would exceed the upper cost limit of £600.
Social Security Scotland would have to review over 1,300 client applications where there was a redetermination up to January 2025.
Under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.
You may, however, wish to consider reducing the scope of your request in order that the costs can be brought below £600 by asking for a specific month. You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at: https://www.foi.scot/how-do-i-ask
Request for Information 3:
The most common reason for denial of re-determination cases as of January 2025 is that the applicant was not in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
Further information on the eligibility criteria for Funeral Support Payment can be found at Funeral Support Payment - mygov.scot
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. You can view the responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.