Supporting information stakeholder resources
Supporting information is information that confirms a client’s condition, disability or needs and describes the impact the conditions or disability have on their daily life.
This can be copies of documents or letters a client may already have at home.
Supporting information helps us:
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build a picture of someone’s everyday life
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understand the impact their condition(s) or disability have on their daily life
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make sure they get the rate of award that is right for them
Examples of supporting information include medical reports, social care plans and referral letters from professionals such as support workers, doctors and physiotherapists.
Supporting information applies to:
When someone applies for Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment or Pension Age Disability Payment, we need one piece of supporting information from a professional to process their application.
We use this alongside the information provided in the application form to help us make the right decision.
People do not need a formal diagnosis to apply for a disability benefit.
People can still apply without supporting information. We can collect it on their behalf if they ask us to, but it may then take longer to process their application.
Find out more about supporting informationSupporting information resources for professionals
Clients can ask us to gather supporting information from a wide range of professionals across the third, private and public sector. The most important thing is that the professional is familiar with the person’s conditions, disability or needs. Among the professionals who can provide supporting information are:
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Doctors, consultants and nurses
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Social workers, social care staff and support workers
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Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and councellors
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Teachers and teaching assistants
By providing supporting information to us, professionals can help the people they support get the benefits they need.