After you apply for disability benefits under Special Rules for Terminal Illness

How long the application process takes

Social Security Scotland prioritises applications for disability benefits under Special Rules for Terminal Illness, meaning you won’t have to wait long for a decision.

They aim to make decisions within 7 working days of receiving a completed application form and the BASRiS form.

When Social Security Scotland has made a decision about your application

Once they've made a decision about your application, Social Security Scotland will write to you to let you know what happens next. This letter is called a notice of determination.

Payments

We are able to back date the application to a maximum of 26 weeks where the date of clinical judgement is earlier than the date of the application.

Awards made under Special Rules for Terminal Illness are lifetime awards, meaning you'll continue to receive it unless your circumstances change.

If you’re not eligible to apply under Special Rules for Terminal Illness

If your registered healthcare professional tells us that you do not meet the definition of having a terminal illness, Social Security Scotland won’t be able to proceed with your application under Special Rules for Terminal Illness. If this happens, they’ll get in touch with you to let you know.

Although you’re not awarded disability benefits under Special Rules for Terminal Illness you may still be eligible for assistance.

When Social Security Scotland gets in touch, they’ll ask you if you wish to proceed with a standard application for either Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment or Pension Age Disability Payment. If you make a standard application, it’ll be processed in the usual way.

If you do not agree with the decision

You can ask Social Security Scotland to reconsider their decision if you:

• have been told you will not receive disability benefits under Special Rules for Terminal Illness and you think you should
• think the amount you're going to receive is incorrect
• think the date you have been paid from is incorrect

Find out how to ask Social Security Scotland to look at their decision again.

Health changes

If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness while getting disability benefits you should contact Social Security Scotland as soon as possible to let them know about your change in circumstances.

• if you're receiving Adult Disability Payment when your circumstances change
• if you’re receiving Child Disability Payment when your circumstances change
• if you're receiving Pension Age Disability Payment when your circumstances change