Disability benefits evaluation: Special Rules for Terminal Illness in the context of the devolved disability benefits

Footnotes

1This list refers to organisations that are given specific and explicit permissions to access the online Social Security Scotland BASRiS and SRTI application functions.

2 Social Security Scotland – Adult Disability Payment Statistics

3 Social Security Scotland - Pension Age Disability Payment statistics

4 Social Security Scotland - Child Disability Payment statistics

5 Adult Disability Payment Official Statistics

6 Social Security Scotland - Pension Age Disability Payment statistics

7 This list refers to organisations that are given specific and explicit permissions to access the online Social Security Scotland BASRiS and SRTI application functions.

8 Social Security Scotland has a harmful information marker, which when set ensures notifications are automatically adjusted to remove any reference to ’special rules’. The harmful information marker is set if Social Security Scotland know the client (or parent/guardian or legal representative) is not aware of their terminal diagnosis, or if they are unsure if the client (or parent/guardian or legal representative) is aware. Client Advisers and Case Managers are also trained to never disclose a terminal illness diagnosis or use the phrase ‘special rules for terminal illness’ when contacting the client (or parent/guardian or legal representative) by telephone. They do not mention the BASRiS, SR1 or DS1500 forms as these could also reveal a terminal illness diagnosis.

In order for a client to be able to understand their award and therefore challenge at redetermination / appeal if they feel the award is incorrect – as well as to ensure Social Security Scotland are transparent in communications – it was agreed that letters (with no harmful information marker set) would refer to an award being made under ‘special rules’. This phrase was considered more sensitive than one making a direct reference to terminal illness. This approach was developed in consultation with the NIG and all letters were user tested. The one exception to this is a letter sent when a client applies for a disability benefit under SRTI for whom there is no BASRiS confirmation, requesting a standard rules Part 2. This is now under review by Social Security Scotland.