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Original poster

Adult disability payment

430 replies

Mumtotwoxo · 30/11/2022 00:30

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.

OP posts:
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8
Lovelyjubbbly · 28/05/2023 15:04

Mines is still with a decision maker since the 14th April. It really is shocking I have been waiting 6 month in total .

Lisalisaandcultjam · 28/05/2023 16:03

Did you get your letter yet or have you been told?
Usually the payment is 5 days after decision and you should get back payment at that point.
I only know this from following a forum on Facebook.

flowerpot258 · 28/05/2023 16:59

@Lisalisaandcultjam - I've had my decision letter. It says the award starts from October 2022 but my first payment won't be until 19th June as they pay 4 weeks in arrears but I wasn't sure about the back pay, if I'd get that sooner or if that wouldn't be paid until the 29th June

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Lisalisaandcultjam · 28/05/2023 17:07

@flowerpot258 you should get the back pay now. If it isn't in your bank I would give them a phone/webchat on Tuesday to ask.
Mine was in my account just before the letter came.

flowerpot258 · 28/05/2023 19:04

@Lisalisaandcultjam Aw okay, I'll contact them through the week then. I only received the letter on Saturday morning.

Lovelyjubbbly · 28/05/2023 19:50

@Lisalisaandcultjam @flowerpot258 can I ask how long it took for a decision to be made?

flowerpot258 · 28/05/2023 20:50

@Lovelyjubbbly - I applied in October, they refused it at first so I had to appeal it. After the appeal it took another 6-8 weeks for a decision. So I'm total it was around 7 months for the full process.

Also just to add why it's important to appeal - on the first application they only awarded me 3 points total for the daily living and 0 for the mobility. After my appeal they have awarded me 15 points for daily living, meaning I'm entitled to the enhanced rate for that element, and then they gave me 10 points for mobility which gave me the standard rate! So I'd definitely recommend appealing if refused the first time

Lisalisaandcultjam · 28/05/2023 21:57

@Lovelyjubbbly I was exactly 6 months.
@flowerpot258 I got 7 points for daily living and 12 for mobility. I was going to appeal as I'm sure I should have been given daily living, especially since I have more needs now, however, I don't think I'd have been able to cope with the worry of it all. I was so stressed out waiting for the initial decision.

Lovelyjubbbly · 29/05/2023 07:52

@Lisalisaandcultjam @flowerpot258 thanks . I have been waiting 6 month and it’s with a decision maker for 7 weeks now. They asked for. Discussion with a in house practitioner in there building plus vontzvted
my GP I just don’t understand why all supporting information is not enough for them I sent lots In

Lisalisaandcultjam · 29/05/2023 10:26

@Lovelyjubbbly that seems to be a recurring theme. I didn't send anything in initially and explained that due to the nature of my problems, I don't leave the house and haven't been able to see a GP for a long time. I do have an OT who sees me at home. I gave all contact information.
They phoned and asked for more information so my husband wrote a lengthy letter giving an account of a typical day for me.
We went on chat as we heard nothing for over 3 months after that and were told there wasn't enough evidence - they didn't even contact the OT!
Anyway, they then made a decision but had they spoken to the OT to back up everything, I believe I'd have scored a bit higher.
I've also only been given a 2 year award (when I've been like this for nearly 7 years), which means I have to go through a review in less than a year's time. I'm already worrying about that.
I think because they are trying to do things with less contact, they are perhaps finding that it is harder than they first thought to make a decision based on what you tell them. It doesn't make it any easier for people waiting to hear back.

Lovelyjubbbly · 29/05/2023 11:22

@Lisalisaandcultjam that is shocking! I advised on Thursday there if there’s no further update in the next week or so I’m making a complaint. Ridiculous just the fact the tell us to send a lot of supporting information doctors letters etc but still need to contact my GP and other practitioners within themselfs. Also been told previous that it was with a decision maker 2 times months ago in two separate occasions. I understand they are very busy but it’s a bit ridiculous

omactualg · 29/05/2023 11:34

I got my letter Eurovision Saturday so I think two weeks ago. Got the backpayment about 2-3 days after that. Enhanced care and standard mobility. I’ve got a review in September though so not much time at all between award and review.

omactualg · 29/05/2023 11:35

I’d applied just before Christmas. Gave them dozens of contacts but they said they only talked to my GP in the end.

Lovelyjubbbly · 29/05/2023 14:51

@omactualg i applied around 22nd December also . It really is ridiculous

Lisalisaandcultjam · 29/05/2023 15:15

@Lovelyjubbbly it sure is. I had been told some fibs over chat a couple of times too. In December I was told it was just awaiting a decision and that they had everything they needed to make a decision. That wasn't true because it hadn't even been assigned to an advisor.
Then I got told they didn't get enough evidence from the GP but when the advisor actually spoke to my husband, they said that wasn't right at all and that they did have evidence.
We did finally speak to a guy who was very helpful on the phone. Whilst he couldn't say I had been awarded, he could tell my husband that there were payments due to my account.
So it just depends who you get I think.

highlandspooce · 29/05/2023 15:19

omactualg · 29/05/2023 11:34

I got my letter Eurovision Saturday so I think two weeks ago. Got the backpayment about 2-3 days after that. Enhanced care and standard mobility. I’ve got a review in September though so not much time at all between award and review.

I applied in June last year and was awarded in September. Back pay was in before letter. They gave me a 10 year award though. My experience was positive but I see the longer it's been open for applications the worse it's getting.

Lovelyjubbbly · 29/05/2023 15:25

@Lisalisaandcultjam that’s exactly the same thing I was told then unfortunately was untrue. But mine has been with a decision maker for 6 weeks it’s just not right don’t think they were prepared for all this if I’m been honest .

Lovelyjubbbly · 02/06/2023 16:00

Just a little update had a call today advised letter will be sent out today with the decision. Called up on Tuesday and advised I will be making complaint. Applied 22nd December

Lisalisaandcultjam · 02/06/2023 19:14

@Lovelyjubbbly hoping it is good news for you next week when you receive your letter. Good on you for complaining. I was reading somewhere yesterday that they are now trying to take action to reduce the time people are waiting.
There are also people sending change of circumstances forms snd review forms and them taking 6 months and more.
I'm due to have mine reviewed this time next year so will likely have a long wait again. I'm so not looking forward to having to go through it all again. I wish they could understand how stressful it is for everyone. The form really takes it out of you and it's almost like they don't bother reading half of it. I am grateful for not requiring a face to face appointment, however it was so stressful all the waiting and worrying,x

Lovelyjubbbly · 02/06/2023 20:13

@Lisalisaandcultjam I also didn’t have a face to face appointment. But they did contact an in house practitioner before and after having speaking to my GP . I sent off around 7/8 supporting information letters and prescriptions and as if they just don’t read anything . I just don’t understand why they tell us to send lots supporting information to make decisions quicker and still need to contact GPs.

xxscotmum86xx · 12/06/2023 15:19

Hi all, I applied in Jan, still waiting on a decision.. Spoke with chat they said they have requested more evidence from my GP and if my GP doesn't respond in the 4 weeks they attempt again. The wait time is driving me crazy.

Mumabear239 · 27/06/2023 20:24

Hi all , am looking for personal experiences with the adult disability payment process, I applied March and sent my full medical file and it’s currently with a decision maker been there for 2 weeks now , has anyone had a fast response or is it a long way off for a decision? Xxxx

Lisalisaandcultjam · 27/06/2023 23:44

@Mumabear239 my experience was it took 6 months in total. Mine went to a decision maker in January and it was another neqrly 3 months plus before I heard back again.

They wrote to my GP and we sent a letter from my husband in. They didn't contact my OT. Personally, I'd have preferred them to contact my OT as well but they didn't for whatever reason.

I'm hearing quite a few people sending various letters and evidence in and they are still contacting other professionals iver and above and that it is taking longer as a result.

I think because they tend not to do assessments very often, they need to make absolutely sure they have as much as they need before making their decision.

It may either be that they already have enough for you and make the decision quickly, or, as in many cases, it could be a good few weeks away yet. The waiting is soul destroying though isn't it.

Mumabear239 · 28/06/2023 12:37

@Lisalisaandcultjam yes the wait is unreal and I keep going over my application thinking I’ve missed something out or I could have added more , I was on chat today and they said what your saying it could be many more weeks before I hear anything , and if the decision is not what I expected I will wait longer with the appeal.

Lisalisaandcultjam · 28/06/2023 12:59

@Mumabear239 hopefully the time will pass quick and you get the decision you hope for. If they could tell you exactly how long it will take and when to expect a response, although a long time, at least you know what is going on. The not knowing drove me up the wall.

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