Decision about your Pension Age Disability Payment application

Social Security Scotland’s decision making process is designed to make sure you're treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

In making a decision, they'll have access to:

• detailed decision making guidance
• experienced medical practitioners
• specialist advisers with extensive knowledge and experience of working in health and social care

Letting you know the decision

Social Security Scotland will send you a letter with the decision. This letter is called a notice of determination.

Social Security Scotland aim to make a decision after:

• getting your completed application
• getting any more information they need

If you have a terminal illness, Social Security Scotland will aim to make a decision as quickly as possible, in around 7 working days. 

Social Security Scotland is learning from stakeholders how to:

• meet this aim
• gather the information needed from health professionals

Some processes may take longer because:

• Pension Age Disability Payment is a new service
• demand for the service is high

What the decision letter will tell you

The letter tells you the result of your application. If your application is:

• successful, it’ll tell you what payments you’ll get
• not successful, it’ll explain why

Pension Age Disability Payment has 2 rates. You could get:

• lower rate of £72.65 a week if you need help or supervision either during the day or night.
• higher rate of £108.55 a week if you need help or supervision both during the day and night or if you’re terminally ill

If you have questions or do not agree with the decision

The law says the letter must:

• be clear and accessible
• give guidance and explanations about the decision that’s been made

It will also tell you what to do if you do not agree with the decision.

If you have any questions about your decision letter, you can contact Social Security Scotland.