Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Adult Disability Payment (ADP) statistics: FOI release

Information requested

Request for information 1: The total number of individuals who have applied for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland who have a diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Request for information 2: With reference to request for information 1, the number of successful and unsuccessful applications following their initial application.

Request for information 3: With reference to request for information 1, the number of successful and unsuccessful applications following redetermination.

Request for information 4: With reference to request for information 1, the number of individuals with ME/CFS who had to take their case to the First-tier Tribunal.

Request for information 5: The average processing time for applications from individuals with a diagnosis of ME/CFS.

Request for information 6: Whether staff handling ADP claims receive any specific training on ME/CFS.

Request for information 7: A description of the content of any such training (e.g., duration, materials, guidelines followed).

Request for information 8: The number or percentage of staff who have completed this training.

Response

The data for requests for information parts 1, 2 and 5 is drawn from management information, which has not been quality assured to the same level as that in our Official Statistics publication, and should therefore be treated with caution.

Request for information 1:

As of 5 October 2024, we hold record of 1,202 applications from clients where Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFC) is recorded as either the primary or secondary disability condition. Please note there may be people with multiple conditions including ME/CFS who are not included in these figures.

Request for information 2:

As of 05 October 2024, 701 of these applications were approved at initial decision, 500 were denied at initial decision and one application was withdrawn before a decision was made.

Request for information 3 and 4:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the costs of locating,retrieving and providing the information requested would exceed the upper cost limit of £600. This is because we do not separately record a breakdown of redeterminations where ME/CFC is recorded as either the primary or secondary disability condition, nor do we separately record the number of individuals with ME/CFS who have raised appeals to the First-tier Tribunal. To locate and retrieve the information requested would require us to interrogate the 1,201 applications outlined above. Under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.

You may, however, wish to consider reducing the scope of your request in order that the costs can be brought below £600. You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at:
How do I ask for information? | Scottish Information Commissioner (foi.scot)

Request for information 5:

Since the inception of Adult Disability Payment the median average processing time for clients with this condition was 67 working days.

Request for information 6, 7 and 8:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Social Security Scotland does not have some of the information you have requested. We do not deliver specific learning around Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Learning is primarily designed around guiding decision makers to use a range of decision-making tools to aid them such as medical guidance tools, case discussions and consultations. The emphasis for training is always on the impact to daily living and mobility for clients and to use these avenues of support in particular around health conditions and disabilities.

Advice can also be provided by a health and social care practitioner with relevant experience and/or specialism based on the case manager’s request. Practitioners do not diagnose conditions or advise on treatment and are all Social Security Scotland staff members.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that Social Security Scotland does not have the information you have requested.

About FOI

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