Employment Injury Assistance delivery - next steps: response to consultation

Criticisms of current Scheme

Respondent Feedback

A majority of the written responses expressed criticisms of IIS Many of these responses therefore stated a preference for Option 2 to prioritise longer-term reform over the option of delivery Employment Injury Assistance on a like-for-like basis with IIS within the current Parliament. Many of those in favour of Option 2 noted a need to modernise the benefit, while criticising the eligibility criteria of the current Scheme which will be covered in more detail later in this document.

Many respondents shared their views on how IIS is currently administered by the DWP and set out their priorities for reform. These are also discussed in more detail in the below sections.

Organisations shared their experience of helping clients to apply for an IIS benefit and to successfully appeal decisions. To this end, they called for changes to be made in line with Social Security Scotland’s principles of dignity, fairness and respect and its commitment to get decisions right first time.

Scottish Government Response

We appreciate respondents sharing their experiences of receiving one or more IIS benefits and of supporting others to apply for IIS benefits and appeal decisions.

For the benefits we are currently delivering, Social Security Scotland offer multiple communication channels and aim to get decisions right first time, reducing the need for people to go through a re-determination or appeal. There is also support in place to help people challenge entitlement decisions where they wish to do so. This includes the use of our Local Delivery service and VoiceAbility, our independent advocacy service.

For the disability benefits we have delivered to date, we have worked with disabled people to design application processes, to ensure they are as clear and straightforward as possible. There are multiple methods of application including online, by post, over the phone or face-to-face, so that people can apply in the way that is best for them. Taking a human rights based approach, Social Security Scotland’s person-centred decision making process ensures everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. For example, for our Adult Disability Payment we removed DWP style private sector assessments, nor do we use any functional examinations.

We want to maximise uptake of the disability benefits we deliver and actively promote our payments. Social Security Scotland’s local delivery service can provide people with advice and support on Social Security Scotland administered benefits at a location and time that suits them within their local area. Additionally, we fund an independent advocacy service which supports people to access support.

We will work with the Employment Injury Assistance Steering Group to further consider how we can apply these changes to Employment Injury Assistance.