Adult disability payment

[Mumtotwoxo]

Looking for advice on this benefit.
I applied for this just over 2 months ago, I sent 3 forms of proof of illness and had a video call appointment to confirm identity.
I called social security Scotland to check my process of claim and they say it’s awaiting a case manager.
Does anyone know how long I’ll be waiting for a decision?
Seems a very long, drawn out process.

@Piseag123 @Rocksdad I hope you both don't have to wait too much longer and you get awarded what you feel you should I shall keep my fingers crossed for both of you 🤞🏻
I hope social security Scotland manages to get things done quicker in the future as having people waiting for a decision for over 10 months is soul destroying 😔

Many thanks @Allyballybee445 hopefully it’s a positive on Tuesday🤞 and yes here’s hoping that things improve as the waiting is very stressful!

UPDATE ON RE-DETERMINATION DECISION, CM contacted me today, he was in the process of typing up my outcome letter as we know he couldn’t tell me what the outcome was. He said that he didn’t need to contact my GP, as he had over 3 pages of supporting information from me which he was grateful for, he said I should receive my letter near the end of the week, wished me a merry Christmas and that was it! 🤔so just waiting now to see what the letter says, many thanks for listening!

@Piseag123 Hopefully you get your letter before Christmas and it is good news 🤞🏻

I have asked for a copy of the assessors’ report as I intend to ask for a redetermination it just doesn't feel right to just accept what sss have in there wisdom decided I am entitled too makes me wonder how many people just accept any award due to the fear of getting nothing.

@Allyballybee445 thanks here’s hoping 🤞! And yes you should do that, what have you got to lose, especially if you feel that your initial outcome should have been different 👍

@Allyballybee445 I got told my file wasn't for me to read and they'd send it to tribunal. Now I have my portal I can see they asked 3 questions during the "case conference" and that gave me 6 extra points to give me full. But still no mobility so I've appealed only for the simple reason you can't trust ADP to make a decision. If the first outcome was made, checked by a supervisor and agreed... Then re-determination gives me more points, how can any of us trust that that's the final outcome?! Arseholes the lot of them.

I have to call them as now I can see all my paperwork, (not any corresponding notes they've made) I can see that all my appeal paperwork that I highlighted and referenced, once scanned the tribunal people won't see the highlighted parts. Dammit Janet. Ha! But I don't remember how to log back in either but the tribunal people are very good at keeping you updated with texts and emails, so far anyways. So I don't need to worry about anything until ADP responds to the tribunal requests and that deadline is Jan 15.

@Rocksdad They said it would be sent to me but there may be a delay due to the upcoming holidays.
The mobility is the part I thought I would get but didn't and it feels like the deciphers make it feel you have to have mental health issues to get it and you also have to prove you do I felt I should have received it due to my sensory issues which are not caused by anxiety

The more I read the decision letter the more confused I get they keep mentioning symptoms consistent with prescription medication taken I do not take any prescription medicine

The other issue is the mental health referral I am not denying I suffer from some anxiety but they have just ignored that most of the issues are not anxiety related so they have denied me points I should have got by basically saying I do not have anxiety makes no sense to me

I will send in my redetermination after the new year .

Hello, hope it's not a stupid question, but where did you log in to see your paperwork? Thank you

@Allyballybee445 phone and speak with Voice ability. They'll see you quick sharp. CAB, not so much. They don't have the staff to cope and will give you phone support only.

@mami2015

I actually don't remember how to log back in to see my paperwork/progress - but that's only when it's at the appeal stage and comes from the tribunal chamber and not SSS. They send you a link to register and log in. I can't even be bothered calling up and finding out.

@Rocksdad hi , are you going through the appeal process at present? I applied in January, was a few points short of an award so I sent my redetermination in with further information that I wrote. I was refused with way less points that I was awarded initially. I’m going to send an appeal in now. Do you have any tips? Should I contact voice ability first do you think?

Do appeals result in a face to face tribunal?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks 😊

@Wizwiz hey. Yeah I submitted the appeal in mid November and got accepted Dec 11. I tried to get CAB to help but they could only do phone and that's useless to me cos I had all the info ready to go. But had I known about Voice ability, I would have used them. They couldn't see me in time before the 31 day deadline and again, I wasn't sure they could help me further than what I had already gathered and written. But I do believe their success rate is rather high. And I'm sure they would have worded or paraphrased half my application in a way I couldn't. And they will come to you and help you in person.

I will be further updated on the hearing process in Jan but I do believe you don't need to attend if you don't want to. I've been told SSS has 31 days to respond and they can either come back with an offer to prevent it going to panel or not. I've been told the panel will look at it holistically and person centred without having to follow the strict guidelines of points criteria. And their judgement is final - unless you were to challenge the law lol

@Piseag123 Hi I am in the same position as you and was told on Tuesday decision had been made with redetermination. Have u any updates? I was told they couldn’t tell me the outcome but if successful, payment is usually issued same day so keep an eye on bank account ,so hoping to see something in account tomorrow . Not sure how long it takes for payment to reach account so it’s just a waiting game just now

Have you asked for a copy of the assessors report ? The decision letter is basically a summary of it, but if you have the full report it should give you more insight into how the decision was reached. If any aspect of your condition was discussed at the assessment and does not appear on the report you need to challenge it, as well as any inaccuracies, such as the medication issue you mentioned.

The mobility assessment can be a nightmare because it’s split between physical and mental health, sensory and cognitive conditions. If you have a physical condition which causes both physical and sensory effects then the physical effects should be considered in the moving around descriptor and the sensory issues considered in the planning and following a journey descriptor if they have an effect on your ability in that area. The problem is, that the threshold for scoring anything in this descriptor is insanely high. Unless you are severely affected to the point of dependence on specialist aids or help from another person, you’re unlikely to score.

I’m not sure from your post if you actually have a diagnosis of anxiety, but for ADP/PIP assessments, anxiety and depression rarely score any significant points in any of the mobility and daily living descriptor if they are treated by medication prescribed by a GP. Second line, consultant led specialist mental health input seems to be the minimum standard.

@kaismum2023 not heard anything yet, will keep fingers crossed for both of us and hope that we hear soon one way or another🤞

UPDATE ON RE-DETERMINATION DECISION. Received letter this morning I’ve been awarded daily living standard award 👏no mobility, which I really didn’t think I would get, so either way I’m happy with the outcome was told via web chat that I will receive payment on 29th Dec! Thank you to everyone for your help and advise I very much appreciate it 🌷@kaismum2023 did you receive word through yet?

Aye got my back dated money today and the award letter as well 😊

@kaismum2023 that is good just in time for Christmas too 👍I thought I would have received the backdated money today too, but not to worry, just knowing that it will arrive that’s the main thing! Take care 🎄

Just marking a place on this thread. My partner applied for ADP in August and only this week did he receive a phonecall for an identity check and to say it had been passed onto an assessor/decision maker (can't remember the term). It's all taking so long 😮‍💨. Any idea approx how long it could take from here?

Hello @Invisimamma I had initially applied at the end of June 2023, determination was made on the 16th of October and I received my letter on the 20th of October 2023, I disagreed with the determination outcome as I didn’t believe that they had taken into account my two main disabilities! I contacted them on the same day, 20th of October to ask for a re-determination, which can take up to 56 days for them to make a decision as a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ looks over the original application along with any new supporting evidence! I received my outcome of the redetermination a couple days before Christmas, received backdated payment on the 29th of December I had achieved the adequate points for the daily living component! It is a longer process but hopefully they are now getting through the backlog and fingers crossed that you received word soon, just keep uploading any supporting information that you can gather! Good luck 🤞!

@Invisimamma The time frame can differ for a lot of reasons I applied in February and received my decision in December as far as I am aware there is a large backlog but they are getting through them as quick as possible the waiting is soul destroying 😔

Did anyone who applied before April and then get an award later get the disability cost of living payment and if they did how long did it take for you to get it.
I have received the £10 Christmas bonus but so far no sign of the £150 cost of living payment my award was from February 2023 so I am sure I qualify.

@Allyballybee445 hello. Yes, you are entitled to it. Unfortunately you have to call SSS and tell them. They'll tell you it has to be DWP but it's not. It took me days to finally get someone to go "yeah I've ticked the box and you'll get it in a week"

Hi @Rocksdad would I be eligible too, I applied in June got my backdated money at the end of December? TIA 👍

@Piseag123 I don't remember the criteria dates. Google tells me the payment date was June 20-july 4 but I cant see what the qualifying dates are. Be before that though. 🤷‍♂️