Devolved disability benefits: decision making evaluation

Footnotes

1 In decision-making policy, the term light touch is used as shorthand for using relevant information (that is already held by Social Security Scotland) and decision-making tools, where possible, to ensure requests for further information, including supporting information, are necessary and proportionate. By necessary and proportionate, we mean where making a robust determination would not be possible without it.

2 Other conditions include: mobility such as walking short distances or climbing stairs; breathing, fatigue, or stamina; dexterity such as lifting or carrying objects or using a keyboard; learning, understanding, or concentrating; memory; other

3 The proportions for those with vision or hearing related conditions represented extremely small cohorts and were therefore not statistically significantly different from the proportion of those with social or behavioural conditions.

4 Note that this proportion does not reflect redeterminations from the same applications and reviews due to operational lags in time for Social Security Scotland staff to re-review the case and make another decision on it.

5 ibid

6 Note that this proportion does not reflect redeterminations from the same applications due to operational lags in time for Social Security Scotland staff to re-review the case and make another decision on it. This number and proportion also only reflect applications for PADP due to when this benefit was rolled out – see Methodology.

7 Note that these proportions are not based on the redeterminations raised within the same period due to operational lags in time for Social Security Scotland staff to re-review the case and make another decision on it.

8 Note that these proportions are not based on the number of appeals raised within the same period due to operational lags in time for Social Security Scotland staff to process the appeal.

9 Policy officials have confirmed that there were no relevant updates to the policy during the time of this research and clarified that the staff member is most likely referring to the guidance specifically.

10 Social Security Scotland Client Survey 2023-2024. However, it should be noted that the survey has now been reformatted to ask clients if they had a consultation in a more rigorous way in the aim to avoid people mistaking a consultation for other contact they have had with Social Security Scotland staff.

11 For unscheduled reviews, the responses reported were based on 42-76 responses and so should be interpreted with caution.

12 The proportions for those with vision or hearing related conditions represented extremely small cohorts and were therefore not statistically significantly different from the proportion of those with social or behavioural conditions.

13 For unscheduled reviews, the responses reported were based on 42-76 responses and so should be interpreted with caution.

14 As of 30 April 2025, a total of 476,295 people were in receipt of Adult Disability Payment

15 As of 31 March 2025, it is estimated that 89,400 children and young people were in receipt of Child Disability Payment

16 The proportions for those with vision or hearing related conditions represented extremely small cohorts and were therefore not statistically significantly different from the proportion of those with social or behavioural conditions.

17 Social Security Scotland Client Survey 2023-2024.

18 ADP clients are able to request a consultation, however, it is not guaranteed that they will have one if Case Managers think they have enough information to make a decision.

19 The policy is underpinned by the social model of disability and therefore acknowledges that while some conditions may be permanent, the needs resulting from it could change over time, allowing the focus to be on the needs the individual has.