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.

@Mumtotwoxo it sounds like you've had a terrible time of it too, it's not easy at all is it.
My GP I've not had that much contact with since the one I originally had retired and he wasn't very understanding at all. He would put time limits on me like, you've got a month and then I want to see you here in the surgery which caused a lot of distress. I wasn't able to go for medication reviews either.
The GP I have now in the same practice I saw almost 3 years ago. I had to attend the surgery to see her but was in a terrible state.
I've also spoken to her another couple of times as has my husband and she has a grasp of my condition. The last contact we had was that she added me to the housebound list for Covid vaccinations and I mentioned this in my form.
When they contact them they should find this all out as well as the history I have with seeing psychiatry and nurses and OT from CMHT over the years. I asked the OT a while ago (I've chickened out of applying for this so many times) if they could provide me with a supporting letter and she said no, that's not how it works - that it is up to them to contact OT and GP.
My husband just called and they want him to submit a supporting letter now too.

@Lisalisaandcultjam I'm not even sure they look at the supporting information you send them because I sent 3 letters from gp, mh nurse and my cbt therapist and it still wasn't enough.
I got my letter today and I got declined due to receiving no points.
2 out of the 12 activities that I should of gained points on I didn't believe it wasn't explained properly by myself. According to them I haven't done the form correctly.
I called them and had to try for a re decision shocking people have to be brutally penalised over their illness not being up to the 'standard' of points!

@Mumtotwoxo I'm really sorry to hear that. Hopefully in an appeal you'll have better success, but then you shouldn't have to. I would recommend contacting someone like Fightback or there are others who can help you, even CAB. They can help you fill out the forms and guide you.
I can imagine how you will be feeling today, it's difficult enough day to day anyway and to then not feel validated - something that put me off applying so far.

@Mumtotwoxo how are you doing? Have you started your appeal?
I've not heard a thing.

@Lisalisaandcultjam hi there!
I appealed on the 12th January and only heard back on the 7th of feb. The woman that's took on my case went through all questions with me and asked me to explain my illness and how it effects me daily. It wasn't nice at all but the questions are more suited for people with physical disabilities not mental. I found it hard to explain.
The woman now has to wait for a response from one of the people I got supporting evidence from then she advised that they have trained mental health experts that might call me to get information before a decision is made 😭 not hopeful at all.

Have you tried to contact them for an update?

That doesn't sound pleasant at all. I'm so sorry to hear you're having to go through all of this. I don't think I could stand it.
Day to day living is difficult enough as it is.

My husband called them and all they said was that it was still being worked on. They couldn't give us any indication of a timescale. All they said was that applications from August/September applications were receiving decisions now so who knows.

I applied 20th December and got told it’s a six month timescale now for decisions - she said that it takes six months to gather the evidence they need, so said to meet not to expect to hear anything until May or June .

@writemynameinthesand did you send both parts at that time? I was hearing that it can take 6 months from submitting the 2nd part. For me that would be March or April time.

I applied 8 months ago. Have heard nothing. I'm fuming. Paid tax, working full time since I was 18, honestly can't believe the quality of service.

I think so, I sent them the entire application form and did my ID bit just before Christmas . Sent it with a letter from my friend too . My GP, CMHT etc have refused to write a letter until they’re contacted directly by them which is helpful, as the lady on the phone seemed to think that’s the bit that takes the longest 🙄

It’s difficult, I’m living off £100 a month; which is near to impossible to live on . Keep being told not to go into a job as too unwell (mental health) but no other choice tbh .

You sound similar to me - I initially didn't send anything, but then they asked about 5 weeks ago for me to send stuff (that was 3 months after I'd sent the 2nd part in). At that point my husband wrote a letter.

Like you, the people involved in my care wouldn't write a letter but said that they would if they were requested to.

It's not easy having to wait and it has certainly made me feel more anxious.

@TeamadIshbel 8 months! 😮 Have they given you any explanation for that?

Applied end of June last year. Phoned today and they say my decision letter was sent out this morning. Fingers crossed!!

I've heard absolutely nothing. Assumed it was par for the course as its been decades since I dealt with these government departments. Nightmare!

I thought I was bad at just over 5 months not knowing. They don't tell you anything in chat or on the phone either. One time I was told that they had all they needed from me and yet 3 weeks later, I was asked to send in evidence so that wasn't accurate.

I hope it is good news for you,x

I applied 22nd December 2022 only just been with decision maker from 18th of April . They request information from an in house practitioner within them self’s . Now called yesterday to find out an update now they’re contacting my GP for more information. ( I send lots of gp and hospital letters plus pictures of my condition) very frustrating they advice to send all supporting information to make decisions quicker utter joke !

I got told on Thurs they’d made a decision about my claim but wouldn’t tell me on the phone, just said they’ve sent a letter out. There’s no money in my bank as yet as so I’m not sure - gave them evidence from GP, best friend, relative, CMHT (psychiatrist, psychologist, CPN and OT) and two x support workers. Haven’t got the letter yet, I’m hoping today.

@omactualg Great news hopefully u get what u deserve! Usually letter takes about 2 weeks to receive from them usually get payment first before letter. Probably next week u will know if received it

Thank you, hopefully I’ll find out soon. I have to go outside my flat to check my letterbox (block of flats, letters are put into a locked pidgeon hole type system) and I’m too scared to go and find out. I need to at least try.

If a decision was just made on Thursday . Usually with social security Scotland they take ages to send the letters out but just keep checking your bank account! I’m hoping not to much longer they’re waiting on my doctor getting back to them it’s sitting on his desk .

Judging on here to say I was awarded this benefit. How long does it take to receive back payment? I'm due around 7 months back pay but I'm not sure if this will be paid at the time of my first payment or if I'll get it sooner. Anyone know?

Meant jumping on here **

I applied on the 20th of November. Had a few calls to clarify some bits over time but still waiting for a decision. Its ridiculous.

It's taking on average 5 months or so from claim to payments, all backdated to when you first applied and paid along with first payment