Resource Hub
Quick Links to most popular downloads
- Adult Disability Payment application form for organisations
- Child Disability Payment application form for organisations
- Interactive ADP form
Limited Capability for Work
- ESA 3 – Employment and Support Allowance Application for re-assessment
Challenging a decision
- Adult Disability Payment re-determination form
- Child Disability Payment re-determination form
- Adult Disability Payment appeals form
- Child Disability Payment appeals form
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Challenge a Social Security Scotland benefit decision
Note:
Most benefits administered by the DWP require the claimant to ask the department to look at the decision again, this is called a mandatory reconsideration, for Scottish related benefits this is called a re-determination.
There may be different rules for decisions made by HMRC and for decisions relating to Housing Benefit.
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Social Security Chamber – First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (scotcourts.gov.uk)
The Social Security Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland was set up on 22 November 2018 as set out in the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018. The Chamber deals with appeals arising from a decision by the Social Security Scotland Agency acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
Benefits you can appeal
At present the only Social Security Scotland benefits that have a right of appeal to the Chamber are:
- Best Start Grant
-
- Pregnancy and Baby Payment (introduced 10 December 2018)
- Early Learning Payment (introduced 27 April 2019)
- School Age Payment (introduced 3 June 2019)
-
- Funeral Support Payment (introduced 16 September 2019)
- Young Carer Grant (introduced 21 October 2019)
- Winter Heating Assistance for Children and Young People (introduced 23 November 2020)
- Scottish Child Payment (introduced 15 February 2021)
- Child Disability Payment (introduced 26 July 2021)
- Adult Disability Payment (introduced 29 August 2022)
These benefits are awarded by Social Security Scotland. In time more benefits will be devolved to Scotland and all appeals will be heard by this Chamber.
- Email: sscadmin@scotcourtstribunals.gov.uk
- Telephone: 0141 302 5858
- Social Security Chamber, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Glasgow Tribunals Centre, 20 York Street, Glasgow G2 8GT
- For further information: www.socialsecuritychamber.scot
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Time Limits
Request a redetermination within 42 days
You should request a redetermination within 42 days of the date of being notified of the determination. A late request, up to one year from the date you are notified, can be accepted if Social Security Scotland decides there is a good reason for it being late. If Social Security Scotland refuses to accept the late request, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.
Social Security Scotland has a duty to make a redetermination within 56 days
Social Security Scotland also has a duty to make a redetermination within 56 days of receiving a valid redetermination request. If they cannot meet this time limit they must inform you of that, and that you have an immediate right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against the determination. You must appeal within 31 days of receiving notice that they have not met the time limit.
You must appeal within 31 days
You must appeal within 31 days of being notified of the redetermination. You should send the appeal form to Social Security Scotland who will then forward this to the first-tier tribunal within seven days. If you miss the time limit for appealing, you can still appeal within a maximum time limit of one year if you have good reasons for the late appeal. If your appeal is late you must explain why so that the First-tier Tribunal can decide if you have good reasons for a late appeal.
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ADP and CDP re-determinations
If you disagree with a decision about an Adult or Child Disability Payment application, you can ask Social Security Scotland to look at the decision again. This is called a re-determination. It’s where a new team at Social Security Scotland who weren’t involved in making the original decision takes a fresh look at your application, along with any new information you want to give.
- Adult Disability Payment re-determination form
- Adult Disability Payment re-determination form with Short-term assistance
- Child Disability Payment re-determination form
- Child Disability Payment re-determination form with Short-term assistance
Re-determination Form
- Ask us to look at our decision again paper form – Use this form if you want to request a re-determination for:
- Best Start Grant,
- Funeral Support Payment,
- Scottish Child Payment,
- Young Carer Grant,
- Child Winter Heating Assistance or
- Winter Heating Payment
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ADP and CDP Appeal Forms
You can use these forms to appeal when either:
- you disagree with a re-determination decision about your Adult or Child Disability Payment.
- Social Security Scotland ran out of time to make a re-determination decision about your Adult or Child Disability Payment.
Appeal forms
- Appealing a decision form – Use this form if you want to request an appeal for:
- Best Start Grant,
- Funeral Support Payment,
- Scottish Child Payment,
- Young Carer Grant,
- Child Winter Heating Assistance or
- Winter Heating Payment.
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Decision Making Guides
Adult Disability Payment
The Decision Making Guide is for case managers in Social Security Scotland. They use this guide to make decisions on new and existing Child Disability Payment (CDP) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) cases.
Please note that the decision making guidance is continually improved and updated. The documents on this webpage are therefore subject to change.
Third party authorisation form
- Third party authorisation form. Use this form to authorise someone to speak to Social Security Scotland on your behalf. Send the completed form to:
- Social Security Scotland, General Enquiries, PO Box 10301, Dundee DD1 9FY
Rules and regs
Legislation relating to Tribunals in Scotland
- The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Social Security Chamber (Procedure) Regulations 2018
- The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Social Security Chamber (Rules of Procedure) Amendment Regulations 2018
- The Upper Tribunal for Scotland (Social Security Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2018
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Appealing against the process
What happens if you disagree with a process decision by Social Security Scotland?
If you feel a process decision by Social Security Scotland is not correct, you can make an appeal. This is called a process appeal. The reasons to make a process appeal are that:
- Social Security Scotland informed you that your application for benefits has not been accepted.
- Social Security Scotland informed you that your re-determination request did not contain the correct information.
- Social Security Scotland informed you that your re-determination request was late and that you had no good reason for not requesting this sooner.
If you feel a process decision by Social Security Scotland is not correct you can appeal, using the process decision appeal form, directly to the Chamber. You should send the form by email or post to the Chamber.
What happens next?
We will acknowledge your appeal and will contact Social Security Scotland for information about their reasons for refusing your application for benefit. We will then contact you.
Related Information
Time limit
You must send us your appeal form within 31 days from the date on the decision letter from Social Security Scotland. If you miss this date you can apply for permission to appeal but that application must be received by us, at the latest within 1 year from the date of the decision. In your application you will have to explain why you were unable to meet the deadline.
Appeal about the process (socialsecuritychamber.scot)
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Client Representative guidelines
Purpose of the Client representative guidelines
The guidelines have been prepared by the Scottish Government for Social Security Scotland staff. They promote consistency of approach across the devolved social security system and signpost to other internal guidance that may be linked.
They describe:
- the main actors within the social security system that provide support to clients of Social Security Scotland; and
- their roles, responsibilities
- the processes that need to be followed to enable them to deal with Social Security Scotland
- how Social Security Scotland should respond where clients appear to be at risk
Part 5 of the guidelines sets out the different situations where Social Security Scotland itself may appoint another person or organisation to act for a client, and the policies and processes it will follow.
You can read the guidance in the links below.
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 1 Introduction to Client Representative guidelines Updated V 1 2 October 2023 (141 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 2 Parents and legal guardians of children (406 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 3 Power of Attorney (493 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 4 Guardians and Court Appointed Acting Bodies (642 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 5 Introduction to Social Security Scotland Appointees (327 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 5.1 Appointees for children (600 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 5.2 Appointees for adults regarded as incapable (473 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 5.2 (1-5) Appointees assessment incapacity (822 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 5.2 Appendix A Tips and sample questions (153 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 5.2 Appendix B Case study Visit (366 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 5.2 Appendix C Case Study Completed Appointee Referral Form watermarked version 24 Jan 2022 (894 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 5.3 Executors and appointees for the deceased (542 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 6 DWP appointees (359 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 7 Third party representatives (170 kb PDF)
- Client Representative Guidelines Part 8 Advocacy (372 kb PDF)
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Claiming expenses
You may be able to claim for reasonable expenses for going to the tribunal hearing, for example:
- travel expenses to cover your fare if you use public transport
- travel expenses of 25p per mile for taking a car or motorbike, 27p per mile if you’re travelling with a supporter on a car or motorbike (If you’re travelling together with a supporter, only one of you can claim for travel expenses)
- if you are away from home for less than 10 hours, you can claim up to a maximum of £4.25 or more than 10 hours, you can claim up to a maximum of £11.40
- you may also be able to claim for loss of earnings
Related Information
Challenge a DWP benefit decision (DLA, PIP, AA etc)
Most benefits administered by the DWP require the claimant to ask the department to look at the decision again, this is called a mandatory reconsideration, for Scottish related benefits this is called a re-determination. There may be different rules for decisions made by HMRC and for decisions relating to Housing Benefit.
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Challenge a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration)
If you disagree with a decision about benefits, tax credits or child maintenance you can ask for the decision to be looked at again – this is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’. It’s free to ask for mandatory reconsideration.
Form CRMR1 – Mandatory reconsideration request form you download, fill in on screen, save – and then print.
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Appealing to HM Courts and Tribunals Service
You can appeal a decision about your entitlement to benefits, for example Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance (AA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.
There is a different process if you live want to appeal a decision made by Social Security Scotland.
Appeals are decided by the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal who are supported by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The tribunal is impartial and independent of government.
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Useful information at:
An adviser guide to personal independence payment regulations & case law – pipinfo
An adviser guide to work capability assessment regulations & case law – wcainfo
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Rules and regs
The Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008
Consolidated version- as subsequently amended up to 1 November 2022
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Booking a venue
ACVO Opportunities
Hire a community space from a third sector organisation in Aberdeen at competitive rates for your meeting, event or presentation!
The money you spend on hire goes directly to help support the vital work of host organisations in Aberdeen – make a real difference while taking the chance to work in the heart of the community.
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Capability for work forms (ESA & UC)
Capability for work questionnaire
Only fill in this capability for work questionnaire (ESA50) if you’re asked to do so – this is not a claim form.
Capability for work questionnaire – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
UC50 form: Universal Credit capability for work questionnaire
Only fill in this capability for work questionnaire (UC50) if you’re asked to do so, this is not a claim form.
UC50 form: Universal Credit capability for work questionnaire – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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Claim forms
Disability related Claim Forms
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Employment and Support Allowance
Permitted Work
-
If you’re claiming ESA, fill in the permitted work form before you start any paid or unpaid work. Post it to the address at the top of any ESA letters we have sent you. Please do not take this form into your Jobcentre Plus office.
ESA3
- ESA 3 – Employment and Support Allowance Application for re-assessment
‘new style’ ESA
- Claim ‘new style’ ESA online – Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): How to claim – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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Housing related forms
- Application for Severely Mentally Impaired Discount/Exemption (Aberdeen City Council)
- Application for Severely Mentally Impaired Discount/Exemption (Aberdeenshire Council)
- Claim form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction (Aberdeen City)
- Discretionary Housing Payment Claim Form (Aberdeen City)
- Apply ONLINE for Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit (Aberdeenshire Council)
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Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit claim forms to print and fill in with a pen.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit claim forms – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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Links to online claims
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Council Tax Bands & Local Housing Allowance rates
Aberdeen City Council Tax and Scottish Water charges 2023-24
| Council Tax band | Council Tax charge | Water supply | Waste water collection | Total charges to be paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £993.03 | £154.98 | £179.88 | £1,327.89 |
| Band B | £1,158.54 | £180.81 | £209.86 | £1,549.21 |
| Band C | £1,324.04 | £206.64 | £239.84 | £1,770.52 |
| Band D | £1,489.55 | £232.47 | £269.82 | £1,991.84 |
| Band E | £1,957.10 | £284.13 | £329.78 | £2,571.01 |
| Band F | £2,420.52 | £335.79 | £389.74 | £3,146.05 |
| Band G | £2,917.04 | £387.45 | £449.70 | £3,754.19 |
| Band H | £3,649.40 | £464.94 | £539.64 | £4,653.98 |
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Aberdeenshire Council Tax and Scottish Water charges 2023-24
| Property Valuation | Band | Council Tax | Water | Sewerage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| up to £27,000 | A | £928.95 | £154.98 | £179.88 | £1,263.81 |
| £27,001 – £35,000 | B | £1,083.77 | £180.81 | £209.86 | £1,474.44 |
| £35,001 – £45,000 | C | £1,238.60 | £206.64 | £239.84 | £1,685.08 |
| £45,001 – £58,000 | D | £1,393.42 | £232.47 | £269.82 | £1,895.71 |
| £58,001 – £80,000 | E | £1,830.80 | £284.13 | £329.78 | £2,444.71 |
| £80,001 – £106,000 | F | £2,264.31 | £335.79 | £389.74 | £2,989.84 |
| £106,001 – £212,000 | G | £2,728.78 | £387.45 | £449.70 | £3,565.93 |
| £212,001 and over | H | £3,413.88 | £464.94 | £539.64 | £4,418.46 |
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Aberdeen Local Housing Allowance rates
- Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are used to calculate Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs for tenants renting from private landlords. These rates are based on private market rents, and are limited by legislation.
- The table below shows the LHA rates valid from 1 April 2020 until 31 March 2024.
| Number of bedrooms | Weekly rate | Calendar monthly equivalent* |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room rate | £74.79 | £324.09 |
| 1 bedroom | £97.81 | £423.84 |
| 2 bedrooms | £136.93 | £593.35 |
| 3 bedrooms | £172.60 | £747.93 |
| 4 bedrooms | £230.14 |
£997.27 |
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DWP Guidance & Advice
Advice for decision making: staff guide
This advice for DWP decision makers covers:
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for people who are eligible for Universal Credit
The advice in the Decision makers’ guide applies in all other cases.
Join the DWP mailing list to find out when they update this publication by emailing dma.leedsmailinglist@dwp.gov.uk
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Benefit overpayment recovery guide
- This guide has been produced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to provide an overview to staff regarding overpayment policy.
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Decision makers’ guide
This guidance is for DWP staff who make decisions about benefits and pensions. It helps them make decisions that are accurate and consistent.
The introduction of Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment affects the guidance DWP staff use.
DWP decision makers now use Advice for decision making (instead of the DMG) for decisions that involve:
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance for people who are eligible for Universal Credit
- Decision makers’ guide: Vol 1: Decision making and appeals: staff guide
- Decision makers’ guide: Vol 2: International subjects: staff guide
- Decision makers’ guide: Vol 3: Subjects common to all benefits: staff guide
- Decision makers’ guide: Vols 4, 5, 6 and 7: Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support: staff guide
- Decision makers’ guide: Vols 8 and 9: Employment and Support Allowance: staff guide
- Decision makers’ guide: Vol 10: Benefits for incapacity, disability, maternity and bereavement: staff guide
- Decision makers’ guide: Vol 11: Industrial injuries benefits: staff guide
- Decision makers’ guide: Vol 12: Pensions: staff guide
- Decision makers’ guide: Vols 13 and 14: State Pension Credit: staff guide
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Rules on Capital
- DWP: Decision maker’s guide Chapter 29 – IS & JSA: Capital
- DWP: Decision maker’s guide Chapter 52 – ESA: Capital
- DWP: Decision maker’s guide Chapter 84 – Pension Credit: Deemed weekly income from capital
- DWP: Housing Benefit guidance Part B – Assessment of capital
- DWP: Advice for decision making Chapters H1 and H2 – Universal Credit: Capital
- DWP: UC guidance: Treatment of capital (PDF)
- DWP: UC guidance: Capital disregards (PDF)
- DWP: UC guidance: Deprivation of capital (PDF)
Also:
Work Capability Assessment (WCA) handbook
- This guidance is for healthcare professionals who undertake Work Capability Assessments on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
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Non UK nationals and NRPF & legal services
EU Settlement Scheme: EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members
- Version 19.0. Published for Home Office staff on 12 April 2023
- This guidance tells you how, from 12 April 2023, to consider applications made under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), contained in Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules.
- You must consider applications in line with the Immigration Rules and guidance in force at the date of decision on the application, subject to any transitional provisions made in respect of the rules and referred to in the guidance.
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EU Settlement Scheme: derivative right to reside (Chen and Ibrahim/Teixeira cases)
- This guidance tells you how, from 12 April 2023, to consider whether an applicant to the EU Settlement Scheme is a ‘person with a derivative right to reside’ as defined in the Immigration Rules for the scheme contained in Appendix EU to the Immigration
Rules
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EU Settlement Scheme: family member of a qualifying British citizen
- This guidance tells you how, from 12 April 2023, to consider an application under the EU Settlement Scheme, contained in Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules, from a ‘family member of a qualifying British citizen’.
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EU Settlement Scheme: person with a Zambrano right to reside
- This guidance tells you how, from 12 April 2023, to consider whether an applicant to the EU Settlement Scheme is a ‘person with a Zambrano right to reside’ as defined in the Immigration Rules for the scheme contained in Appendix EU to the
Immigration Rules.
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The3Million
Our work ranges from organising and mobilising EU citizens’ communities, informing people of their rights, holding the Government to account on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, promoting access to justice, advocating for an easier pathway to citizenship and residence-based voting rights at local elections, giving EU citizens in the UK to change the narrative on migration, and advocating for social justice.
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No Recourse North East Partnership
Welcome to our partnership website for the sharing of experience and knowledge of supporting people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
Going in to Hospital
Going into hospital if you get benefits
You must tell the office that pays your benefit as soon as possible if you:
- go into hospital for one night or longer
- go into a rehabilitation centre for one night or longer
- will miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment because you’re in hospital or have a medical appointment
You must also tell them if you go into a care home and get benefits.
A friend or relative can call for you.
Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a hospital stay.
What you need to tell DWP
You need to give your:
- full name
- date of birth
- National Insurance number
- partner’s details (if they’re on your claim)
If you’re calling about a friend or relative, you need to give your name and contact details too.
You need to give details about your stay in hospital, including:
- the exact date you went into hospital
- the exact date you left hospital (if you’ve left hospital)
- the name of the hospital you were in
- the name of the ward you were on (if you know it)
- if you moved between hospitals
- any other hospital stays in the last 28 days
- where you were discharged to, for example your home or a care home
How to report
Who you tell depends on which benefits you get. You might need to report your change to more than one organisation if you get more than one benefit.
Universal Credit
Report a hospital stay of 24 hours or longer using your Universal Credit online account.
Pension-age benefits
Call the Pension Service helpline if you get one or more of:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Attendance Allowance
Call the Attendance Allowance helpline if you only get Attendance Allowance.
Disability benefits
Call the Disability Service Centre if you get:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Low or no income benefits
Call Jobcentre Plus if you get:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Housing Benefit
Tell your local council about a hospital stay if you get Housing Benefit.
Child Benefit
Tell the Child Benefit Office if your child goes into hospital or ‘residential care’ for more than 12 weeks.
Other benefits
Call the helpline for each benefit to report a hospital stay if you get:
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Social Security Scotland benefits
What you’ll need
When telling Social Security Scotland about a change, it will be quicker if you have the following information to hand:
- your National Insurance number (if you do not have this, it could take longer to process your changes)
- the bank account details where your benefits are paid into
- details of the change you are telling Social Security Scotland about
- the date the change happened, or will happen
You can find your National Insurance number on your:
- National Insurance card
- benefit letter
- payslip
- P60
Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 if you cannot find your National Insurance number.
How to tell Social Security Scotland
Online
You can use the online form to report the changes. This currently includes changes to:
- your personal details, like your name or address
- your personal details
- your care needs, conditions or mobility needs
- how you’d like Social Security Scotland to contact you
Call
Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 to tell them about any change over the phone, if you have any questions or need help.
Complete a downloadable or paper form
You can download and complete a form to tell us about any changes to your:
- health
- care needs
- disability
- conditions
- mobility needs
Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 if:
- you’d like a paper version of the form to be sent by post
- you have any questions
- you need help to complete the form
- you need help to get information about your health change or send this to them
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Guides
If you are on a low income and have children at school, you may be entitled to financial support.
Support for Families 2023
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Mind and CPAG Mental Health and Benefits Handbook
- This new handbook includes an overview of various mental health symptoms, gives guidance about when and how to ask about them and provides the tools you need to give accurate advice in a supportive manner. It focuses on advice and guidance for different stages of benefit claims and problems you might encounter during the process. It also addresses key topics including assessments, safeguarding, complex needs, supporting evidence and challenging decisions.
The book is available to read for free online
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Independent Age
- Call our free Helpline on 0800 319 6789. By calling our free and impartial Helpline, you can get information and advice from one of our friendly advisers, or order our free guides.
- About 2.5 million older people are entitled to Pension Credit to top up their retirement income. Yet around two in five of those who qualify aren’t claiming it.
- If you think you might be missing out, this
factsheet explains how Pension Credit is worked
out and how to make a claim.
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Info on Disability Benefits (AA, DLA, PIP, CDP, ADP)
Regulations
- Personal Independence Payment – The Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013
- Disability Living Allowance – The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 1991
- Attendance Allowance – The Social Security (Attendance Allowance) Regulations 1991
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Personal Independence Payment toolkit
A guide to help organisations and people in support roles explain Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and changes to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to claimants.
Contents
- PIP and DLA
- When PIP affects existing DLA claimants
- Invitation letters to claim PIP
- Existing DLA for child claims and PIP
- When we told DLA claimants about PIP
- ‘DLA is ending’ campaign information
- How individuals make a claim to PIP
- When individuals will get the decision on a PIP claim
- PIP reviews
- Your organisation and PIP
- Quick guides to PIP
- PIP handbook
- Information for specific groups
- Leaflets about PIP
- What to do with DLA claim forms
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National Advice Organisations
Legislation.gov.uk
Stay up to date with newly enacted legislation for the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as it is published to this site using our free subscription feeds, or by browsing new legislation by publication date.
All Bills currently before the UK Parliament are listed on the UK Parliament website in the Parliamentary Business, Bills & Legislation section. They are published on this site once they receive Royal Assent.
Tracking UK Legislation
- All Bills currently before the UK Parliament are listed on the UK Parliament website in the Parliamentary Business, Bills & Legislation section which also shows what stage a Bill has reached on its passage through Parliament.
- The history of the parliamentary debates relating to Bills in the UK Parliament can be found in Hansard the edited verbatim report of proceedings of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
- All Bills currently before the Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly and the Welsh Parliament can be found on the individual national Parliamentary and Assembly websites.
- Bills only become Acts once they have passed all stages of their applicable Parliamentary procedure and receive Royal Assent. Once an Act has received Royal Assent, it is published under the authority of the King’s Printer to this website.
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Claims and Payments Regs
- The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987
- The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2013
- The Social Security (Income and Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
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Social Security Scotland Regs
Child Disability Payment
Adult Disability Payment
- The Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022
- The Scotland Act 2016 (Social Security) (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
Pension Age Disability Payment
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Sample letters
- DWP overpayment waiver request (sole name)
- DWP overpayment waiver request (joint names)
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Setting up a basic Bank Account
You need a bank account to receive benefits. If you don’t already have a bank account, or you don’t qualify for a standard current account, you can set up a fee-free basic bank account with a bank.
This could be because you haven’t been able to build up a credit history. Or maybe you have a poor credit history because of money problems and want to use a fee-free basic bank account until you qualify for a standard current account again.
Visit Money Helper for information about how to choose and apply for a basic bank account.
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Social Security Scotland Forms
Reporting changes in circumstances
-
Adult Disability Payment Change of Circumstances downloadable form. Report a change of health, conditions, disability or needs for your Adult Disability Payment using this form. You’ll need to print the form out and fill it in before uploading or posting it to Social Security Scotland.
-
Report a change of circumstances online. For Adult Disability Payment, Best Start Foods, Child Disability Payment, Scottish Child Payment
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Social Security Scotland Claim Forms
- Adult Disability Payment application form for organisations
- Child Disability Payment application form for organisations
Who should use this form
You can use this form to help people apply for Disability Payments. For example, if you work for a third sector or voluntary organisation that helps people to apply for benefits. This help could include:
- filling in the form on someone’s behalf
- referring to the questions in the form if you’re helping someone to fill it in it by phone or video call
Before filling in the form
Before filling in the form, ask the applicant to:
- contact Social Security Scotland
- tell us they’re applying for Disability Payments with the help of an organisation
We’ll pay the applicant from the date they tell us they’re applying, if their application is successful.
Returning the form
The form should be returned in the pre-paid envelope that is provided to the applicant. If the applicant does not have this envelope, they can call us free on 0800 182 2222 and we’ll send them one.
We are currently unable to send envelopes to third sector or voluntary organisations.
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Stakeholder Resources may assist you and your professional networks to support clients to apply for Disability benefits:
- Adult Disability Payment PDF Application form
- Case Transfer Guide
- Change of Circumstances online form
- Supporting Information for Adult Disability Payment
- Uploading Supporting Information
- Supporting Information – Third Sector Fee payment
- Re-determination and appeal online
- Disability Payment – Third party authorisation form
- Short Term Assistance
- Local Delivery Relationship Lead
- Case Transfer Guidance – PIP to ADP
- Case Transfer Guidance – DLA to ADP
- Report a change of circumstance online
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Third party authorisation form
- Third party authorisation form. Use this form to authorise someone to speak to Social Security Scotland on your behalf. Send the completed form to: Social Security Scotland, General Enquiries, PO Box 10301, Dundee DD1 9FY
Uploading documents
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When you apply for a benefit or report a change in circumstances, Social Security Scotland may ask you to send in some documents. This is to help them make a final decision or process your changes. This includes documents that confirm details such as who you are or your address.
You can upload your documents online if you need to send Social Security Scotland any. You can send a photo, screenshot or scan of your documents. Your file must be one of these types: DOCX, PDF, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PPTX, XLSX, JPEG
Uploading your documents – mygov.scot
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Social Security Scotland Adult Disability Payment Information
Regulations
- Adult Disability Payment Scotland – The Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022
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Decision Making Guide
The Decision Making Guide is for case managers in Social Security Scotland. They use this guide to make decisions on new and existing Child Disability Payment (CDP) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) cases.
Please note that the decision making guidance is continually improved and updated. The documents on this webpage are therefore subject to change.
- Applying for Adult Disability Payment (160 kb PDF)
- Daily Living Component Introduction for Adult Disability Payment (145 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 1 for Adult Disability Payment Preparing food (251 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 2 for Adult Disability Payment Taking nutrition (204 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 3 for Adult Disability Payment Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition (201 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 4 for Adult Disability Payment Washing and bathing (225 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 5 for Adult Disability Payment Managing toilet needs or incontinence (182 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 6 for Adult Disability Payment Dressing and undressing (182 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 7 for Adult Disability Payment Communicating verbally (177 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 8 for Adult Disability Payment reading and understanding signs symbols and words (144 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 9 for Adult Disability Payment Engaging socially with other people face to face 249 kb PDF (144 kb PDF)
- Daily living component activity 10 for Adult Disability Payment Making budgeting decisions (161 kb PDF)
- Mobility Component Introduction for Adult Disability Payment (159 kb PDF)
- Mobility component activity 1 for Adult Disability Payment planning and following journeys (230 kb PDF)
- Mobility component activity 2 for Adult Disability Payment moving around (127 kb PDF)
- An individuals right to stop receiving assistance for Adult Disability Payment (130 kb PDF)
- Backwards and forwards tests for Adult Disability Payment (213 kb PDF)
- Case discussions for Adult Disability Payment (79 kb PDF)
- Change of circumstances – Change in mobility or care needs for Adult Disability Payment (177 kb PDF)
- Choosing an appropriate review period for Adult Disability Payment (261 kb PDF)
- Consultations for Adult Disability Payment (177 kb PDF)
- Death of an individual for Adult Disability Payment (126 kb PDF)
- Descriptor language for Adult Disability Payment (132 kb PDF)
- Determinations and awards for Adult Disability Payment (123 kb PDF)
- Effect of time spent in care homes hospitals or similar institutions for Adult Disability Payment (231 kb PDF)
- Eligibility according to age for Adult Disability Payment (185 kb PDF)
- Gathering supporting information for Adult Disability Payment (290 kb PDF)
- How to choose a descriptor for Adult Disability Payment (205 kb PDF)
- Justifications for Adult Disability Payment (186 kb PDF)
- Legal detention for Adult Disability Payment (180 kb PDF)
- Relevant considerations when making a determination for an award review – Adult Disability Payment (166 kb PDF)
- Moving from Scotland to another part of the United Kingdom and vice versa for Adult Disability Payment (128 kb PDF)
- Payment of Adult Disability Payment (154 kb PDF)
- Principles of Decision Making for Adult Disability Payment (225 kb PDF)
- Re determinations for Adult Disability Payment (115 kb PDF)
- Reliability criteria for Adult Disability Payment (139 kb PDF)
- Scheduled Reviews for Adult Disability Payment (102 kb PDF)
- Short term Assistance for Adult Disability Payment (117 kb PDF)
- The Adult Disability Payment application form and how to interpret it (227 kb PDF)
- Understanding and interpreting supporting information for Adult Disability Payment (225 kb PDF)
- Unscheduled reviews for Adult Disability Payment (179 kb PDF)
- Case Transfer for Adult Disability Payment (246 kb PDF)
- Case Transfer WADLA to Adult Disability Payment (270 kb PDF)
- Appeals to the First tier Tribunal for Adult Disability Payment (652 kb PDF)
- Appeals to the Upper Tribunal for Adult Disability Payment (336 kb PDF)
- Special rules for terminal illness for Adult Disability Payment (210 kb PDF)
- Residence and Presence for Adult Disability Payment (427 kb PDF)
- When a previous determination is based on an error or made in ignorance of a material fact for Adult Disability Payment (252 kb PDF)
- Suspension of assistance (236 kb PDF)
www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/guidance-resources/guidance/decision-making-guide
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Social Security Scotland use the following for reference:
NHS inform
NHS inform is Scotland’s national health information service. Our aim is to provide the people in Scotland with accurate and relevant information to help them make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for.
www.nhsinform.scot
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Social Security Scotland use the following for reference:
British National Formulary (BNF)
Key information on the selection, prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines.
bnf.nice.org.uk
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Stakeholder Resources
May assist you and your professional networks to support clients to apply for Disability benefits:
- Adult Disability Payment PDF Application form
- Case Transfer Guide
- Change of Circumstances online form
- Supporting Information for Adult Disability Payment
- Uploading Supporting Information
- Supporting Information – Third Sector Fee payment
- Re-determination and appeal online
- Disability Payment – Third party authorisation form
- Short Term Assistance
- Local Delivery Relationship Lead
- Case Transfer Guidance – PIP to ADP
- Case Transfer Guidance – DLA to ADP
- Report a change of circumstance online
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Social Security Scotland Child Disability Payment Information
Regulations
- Child Disability Payment Scotland – The Disability Assistance for Children and Young People (Scotland) Regulations 2021
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Decision Making Guide
The Decision Making Guide is for case managers in Social Security Scotland. They use this guide to make decisions on new and existing Child Disability Payment (CDP) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) cases.
Please note that the decision making guidance is continually improved and updated. The documents on this webpage are therefore subject to change.
- Introduction to Child Disability Payment decision making guidance (238 kb PDF)
- Principles of decision making for Child Disability Payment (343 kb PDF)
- Applying for Child Disability Payment (228 kb PDF)
- Backwards and forwards tests for Child Disability Payment (309 kb PDF)
- Rules for renal dialysis for Child Disability Payment (259 kb PDF)
- Scheduled reviews for Child Disability Payment (157 kb PDF)
- Light touch reviews for Child Disability Payment (72 kb PDF)
- Unscheduled reviews and determinations without application for Child Disability Payment (254 kb PDF)
- Legal detention for Child Disability Payment (290 kb PDF)
- Moving from Scotland to another part of the United Kingdom and vice versa for Child Disability Payment (389 kb PDF)
- Case discussions for Child Disability Payment (162 kb PDF)
- An individuals right to stop receiving assistance for Child Disability Payment (121 kb PDF)
- Redeterminations for Child Disability Payment (165 kb PDF)
- Short term Assistance for Child Disability Payment (158 kb PDF)
- Clients 16 years or older for Child Disability Payment (123 kb PDF)
- Check the applicant is responsible for the child for Child Disability Payment (441 kb PDF)
- Managing assistance on behalf of a child for Child Disability Payment (273 kb PDF)
- Change of circumstances change in mobility or care needs for Child Disability Payment (354 kb PDF)
- Care Component Definitions for Child Disability Payment (275 kb PDF)
- Care component rates and criteria for Child Disability Payment (210 kb PDF)
- Determinations and awards for Child Disability Payment (232 kb PDF)
- Lower rate mobility component for Child Disability Payment (172 kb PDF)
- Special rules for terminal illness SRTI for Child Disability Payment (314 kb PDF)
- Appeals to the first tier tribunal for Child Disability Payment (659 kb PDF)
- Payment of Child Disability Payment (162 kb PDF)
- Death of an individual for Child Disability Payment (223 kb PDF)
- Review periods for Child Disability Payment (253 kb PDF)
- Residence and Presence for Child Disability Payment (289 kb PDF)
- Effect of time spent in care homes and residential educational establishments for Child Disability Payment (305 kb PDF)
- Higher rate mobility component for Child Disability Payment (429 kb PDF)
- Severe mental impairment and severe behavioural difficulties test (325 kb PDF)
- When a previous determination is based on an error or made in ignorance of a material fact for Child Disability Payment (230 kb PDF)
- Case transfer for Child Disability Payment (586 kb PDF)
- Gathering Supporting Information for Child Disability Payment (258 kb PDF)
- Understanding and interpreting supporting information for Child Disability Payment (184 kb PDF)
- Suspension of assistance (236 kb PDF)
- Appealing decisions to the Upper Tribunal for Child Disability Payment (273 kb PDF)
www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/guidance-resources/guidance/child-disability-payment-decision-making-guide
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Social Security Scotland use the following for reference:
NHS inform
NHS inform is Scotland’s national health information service. Our aim is to provide the people in Scotland with accurate and relevant information to help them make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for.
www.nhsinform.scot
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Social Security Scotland use the following for reference:
British National Formulary (BNF)
Key information on the selection, prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines.
bnf.nice.org.uk
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Guidance:
- Disability benefits: supporting information guidance for professionals (20 March 2024)
- Child Disability Payment: GP guidance for supporting information requests (20 March 2024)
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Stats
DWP Policy papers and consultations
www.gov.uk/welfare/entitlement#policy_and_engagement
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Move to Universal Credit statistics
www.gov.uk/government/collections/move-to-universal-credit-statistics
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Social Security Scotland
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Latest Social Security Scotland statistics publications
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This is the collection for statistics relating to Social Security Scotland, including publications about specific benefits, feedback, workforce and equalities analysis – Social Security Scotland statistics: publications
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A twelve-month calendar of Scottish Government statistical releases in spreadsheet format. The calendar includes Official and National Statistics publications, as well as Management Information publications – Official statistics: forthcoming publications
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Stat-Xplore
The number of Universal Credit claimants includes those who have started Universal Credit (completed the Universal Credit claim process and accepted their Claimant Commitment) and have not had a closure of their claim recorded for this spell, up to the ‘count date’ (second Thursday in each month). A closure of their claim would be recorded either at the request of the individual or if their entitlement to Universal Credit ends, for example, if they no longer satisfy the financial conditions to receive Universal Credit as they have capital over £16,000.
People on Universal Credit
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Universal Credit Research and statistics
www.gov.uk/welfare/universal-credit#research_and_statistics
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Universal Credit Policy papers and consultations
www.gov.uk/welfare/universal-credit#policy_and_engagement
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Students
Budget and funding calculator
Budget and funding calculator – Student Information Scotland
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Disability Rights UK – Student FAQs
These are some of the common queries we receive concerning disabled students. If you cannot find the answer to your question among these FAQs then why not call our Disabled Students Helpline.
Student FAQs | Disability Rights UK
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Financial support for students
Find out about financial help available for learning and training, organisations that give information and advice, and guidance about loans and grants for students in higher education.
Financial support for students – Citizens Advice Scotland
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Student Finance in Scotland 2023
Trying to wrap your head around Scottish Student Finance? We’ve done the hard work for you and put together everything you need to know – minus the jargon.
Student Finance in Scotland 2023 – Save the Student
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Universal Credit and students
Guidance on claiming Universal Credit if you’re a student.
Universal Credit and students – GOV.UK
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CPAG Factsheets Students and benefits
- Benefits for young people in further education or training
- Benefits for disabled students
- Benefits and tax credits for students
- Parents claiming for young people in further education or training
- Universal credit for lone parent students
- Universal credit and students
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Boost for Scottish students as they’re to get extra living costs support
Support for Scottish students towards living costs for the 2024/25 academic year
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