Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: consultation

Section 9 – Review periods and indefinite awards

The Scottish Government states it is building a more compassionate system, based on principles of dignity, fairness, and respect.

When a person gets Adult Disability Payment, Social Security Scotland will review whether they should still get it. Most reviews are between two and 10 years apart.

Social Security Scotland reviews take place at a time when a person’s needs are likely to have changed, to ensure that their payment continues to be at the right level.

A person’s payments will continue whilst a review is happening. People also do not need to re-apply during a review.

For some people whose needs are highly unlikely to change and who receive the enhanced rate of the daily living and mobility components, they will not be asked to take part in a review. This is sometimes called an indefinite award. The Scottish Government says that this meets the principles of dignity, fairness and respect.

How review periods work with PIP

PIP awards can vary in length. The shortest award is nine months. The longest is an ongoing award with a ‘light touch’ review at 10 years in a limited number of circumstances^[10].

Most people will have their award regularly reviewed, regardless of the length of the award. This also usually means completing another questionnaire and taking part in another assessment, or the person’s entitlement will end.

Some people will have a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years. The person must re-apply before the end of the two-year period, or their entitlement will end. Limited awards for a fixed period like this will be used if a case manager thinks the person’s health condition is expected to improve.

The following questions ask about review periods and indefinite awards for Adult Disability Payment.

Question 17

Have you ever received an indefinite award for Adult Disability Payment?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t Know

If you said “yes”:

(a) How did that make you feel?

(b) What impact did this have on your quality of life?

(c) Was the reason for this decision communicated clearly?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t Know

(d) How could your experience of receiving an indefinite award be improved?

Question 18

Thinking about review periods for entitlement to Adult Disability Payment, have you ever received an Adult Disability Payment award that is subject to a review period?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t Know

(a) If you said “yes”, what is the impact of having a longer review period on the quality of life of a disabled person?

(b) Do you feel the reasons for this decision were communicated clearly?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t Know

Please give reasons for your answer.

(c) Have you ever experienced a review of your Adult Disability Payment award?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t Know

If you said “yes”:

(d) What do you think worked well about this process?

(e) What would you change about this process?