Sending documents and supporting information

If you were told you need to send a copy of a document or supporting information, you’ll need to send this before Social Security Scotland can finish checking your form. You can upload your documents online or send them by post. 

What to send

Changes to personal details

If the change is to your personal details, you’ll need to provide documents that confirm these changes. 
This could be a change to your:

• address
• name
• bank details

Find out what you need to send for each type of change. 

Changes to condition, disability or needs

Social Security Scotland may require supporting information so they can understand the help and support you need. This helps them make sure you get the award you’re entitled to. 

Social Security Scotland only requires supporting information in some circumstances. You can submit a change of circumstances without supporting information. 

If you are asked to provide supporting information, this could be copies of:

• formal medication or prescription lists
• reports, records or summaries
• social work assessments
• treatment plans
• test results or certificates
• letters from people that know you, like social workers or family members

If Social Security Scotland asks for supporting information, they will only need to see supporting information about changes. You do not need to send a document if they have already seen it. 

Find out more about the types of supporting information and who you can get it from. 

Ask Social Security Scotland to get supporting information for you

If you need help to get supporting information, you can ask Social Security Scotland to gather it for you. 

They can get in touch with your contacts and ask them for supporting information. 

To confirm the change you may need to provide a document from a professional or someone from your wider support network that knows you well. 

A professional could be someone who works: 

• in public or private healthcare, like a consultant, nurse, GP, health visitor or therapist
• in social care, like a paid carer
• a support worker
• for a charity, like a Macmillan nurse

Someone from your wider support network could be:

• someone who helps care for you but not as part of their job
• a family member or friend
• another person in your life who knows about your needs, like a neighbour or volunteer

It may take longer for Social Security Scotland to process your changes if they get the supporting information for you. This is because it can take time getting information from other organisations. 

If you want them to get, or need advice on, supporting information, contact Social Security Scotland. 

If you do not have supporting information

Social Security Scotland only requires new supporting information in some circumstances, so you can still submit your change of circumstances without any supporting information. 

If they need supporting information, they will get in touch to talk about how they can help you.

How to send your documents

Online

If you’re in the UK, you can upload your documents online. 

Uploading your documents online is the fastest way to send them. 

You can upload digital files, photos, screenshots or scans of your documents. Make sure that they are clear and show the full document. 

Do not send any photos of you or your condition. 

If you’re outside the UK, you cannot currently upload your documents online. You’ll need to post your documents using the details in the next section. 

Post

To post your documents, send them to:

Pension Age Disability Payment
PO Box 27199
Glasgow
G4 7EP

If you need a pre-paid envelope to send your documents or form, contact Social Security Scotland. You cannot use a pre-paid envelope if you’re posting from outside the UK.

If you’re not using a pre-paid envelope, or you’re posting documents from outside the UK, check you have paid the right amount of postage before you send your documents. 

You should only send photocopies. It can take Social Security Scotland a while to return any original documents you send. You can make photocopies at your local library. 

Write the following information on your photocopied documents:

• your full name
• your date of birth
• your National Insurance number
• the words ‘Change of circumstances’, so Social Security Scotland know what the documents are for

If you do not include these things, it could take longer to process your change.

Opening times are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Find out what to do if you need help contacting Social Security Scotland, or are calling from abroad. 

If you’re a British Sign Language use, you can use the Contact Scotland BSL service to contact Social Security Scotland.