Social Security Scotland status and statistics of applications: FOI release

Information requested

Request for information 1:

All definitions or terms Social Security Scotland uses to categorise the status of claimants' applications.

In other words, the terms Social Security Scotland uses to refer to the status of applications for benefits.

I imagine there must be categories that reflect which stage applications are at in the process. Therefore please provide a list of all these terms/categories of the stages applications can be at.

Request for information 2:

A breakdown of the current amount of applications according to their status/category in the application process.

If possible, also include the type of benefit in the breakdown.

Request for information 3:

How many claimant’s applications are currently pending due to the wait for evidence from a claimant’s General Practitioner or Hospital?

Response

Request for information 1:

Social Security Scotland uses the below categories to refer to the status of applications for benefits:

Young Carer Grant, Best Start Grant and Best Food Start, Funeral Support Payment, Scottish Child Payment, Job Start Payment

• Applications received
• Applications processed
• Authorised applications
• Denied applications
• Withdrawn applications

Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and Child Disability Payment (CDP)

• Part 1 – Applications registered
• Part 2 – Applications received
• Applications processed
• Authorised applications
• Denied applications
• Withdrawn applications

The application stage involves a two part application process. The part 1 form gathers key personal details of the individual applying. The impact of the individual’s disability is detailed in part 2 of the application form.

Social Security Scotland processes each application received and makes a decision whether to approve or deny the application. Applicants can withdraw their application at any point before a decision is made. This may be after part 1 of the application has been submitted or after both part 1 and part 2 have been submitted.

Request for information 2:

All of the information you have requested is available from our Official Statistics page. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Adult Disability Payment:

Social Security Scotland - Adult Disability Payment: high level statistics to 31 October 2023

The next publication, covering up to the 31 January 2024, will be released in March 2024.

Child Disability Payment:
Social Security Scotland - Child Disability Payment: high level statistics to 31 December 2023

The next publication will be released in May 2024.

Young Carer Grant:

Social Security Scotland - Young Carer Grant: high level statistics to 30 September 2023

The next publication, covering Young Carer Grant to March 2024 will be released in June 2024.

Best Start Grant and Best Food Start:

Social Security Scotland - Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods: high level statistics to 30 September 2023

The next publication, covering up to the end of December 2023, will be released in February 2023.

Funeral Support Payment:

Social Security Scotland - Funeral Support Payment: high level statistics to 30 September 2023

The next publication, covering up to end of December 2023, will be released in March 2023.

Scottish Child Payment:

Social Security Scotland - Scottish Child Payment: high level statistics to 30 September 2023

The next publication, covering up to 31 December 2023, will be released in February 2024.

Job Start Payment:

Social Security Scotland - Job Start Payment: high level statistics to 30 September 2023

The next publication, covering Job Start Payment to March 2024 will be released in June 2024.

Request for information 3:

As of 16 February 2024 there are 4,227 Adult Disability Payment cases where the application is pending due to waiting for supporting information from a client’s General Practitioner/Hospital. Supporting information may also be required from other sources.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.