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Supporting information for disability benefits

What is supporting information

Last updated
24 Mar 2025

Supporting information is information that:

  • confirms your conditions, disability or needs
  • describes the impact the conditions or disability have on your life

This is usually copies of documents or letters you may already have at home.

Why we need supporting information

This information helps Social Security Scotland:

  • build a picture of your everyday life
  • understand the impact your conditions or disability have on your daily life
  • make sure you get the rate of award that is right for you

What you need to provide

Child Disability Payment

When you apply for Child Disability Payment, you need to provide a document from a professional that confirms the child’s conditions, disability or needs. It does not need to include a diagnosis.

This can be either:

  • a letter from a professional
  • an official document, such as a prescription list, letter from the child’s school or a letter about an assessment or appointment

See more examples of supporting information from a professional.

You can also provide information that describes:

  • the impact the conditions or disability have on the child’s life
  • what support the child needs with everyday tasks or mobility

This can be either:

  • a letter or phone call to Social Security Scotland from someone in the child’s wider support network that knows them well
  • information from a professional that describes the child’s needs

Social Security Scotland treats supporting information from professionals and your wider support network equally when they look at your application.

If you’re unsure about what to send, or who to ask, contact Social Security Scotland for advice.

Adult Disability Payment

When you apply for Adult Disability Payment, you need to provide a document from a professional that confirms your conditions, disability or needs. It does not need to include a diagnosis.

This can be either:

  • a letter from a professional
  • an official document, such as a prescription list, care plan, or a letter from your HR department about any workplace adjustments

See more examples of supporting information from a professional.

You can also provide information that describes the impact the conditions or disability have on your life.

This can be either:

  • a letter or phone call to Social Security Scotland from someone in your wider support network who knows you well
  • information from a professional that describes your needs

Social Security Scotland treats supporting information from professionals and your wider support network equally when they look at your application.

If you’re unsure about what to send, or who to ask, contact Social Security Scotland for advice.

Pension Age Disability Payment

You need to provide a document from a professional that confirms your conditions, disability or needs. It does not need to include a diagnosis.

This can be either:

  • a letter from a professional
  • the statement of support, found in the application form and, completed by a professional
  • an official document, such as a prescription list or care plan

See more examples of supporting information.

You can also provide information that describes the impact the conditions or disability have on your life.

This can be either:

  • a letter or phone call to Social Security Scotland from someone in your wider support network who knows you well
  • information from a professional that describes your needs
  • the statement of support, found in the application form and, completed by a professional or member of your wider support network

Social Security Scotland treats supporting information from professionals and your wider support network equally when they look at your application.

If you’re unsure about what to send, or who to ask, contact Social Security Scotland for advice.

Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance

When reviewing your Scottish Adult DLA award, Social Security Scotland only needs new supporting information in some circumstances.

Social Security Scotland will contact you if you need to send supporting information.

You do not need to send them anything they’ve already seen, only new information to support:

  • a change in your needs or circumstances 
  • your scheduled review

If you need to send supporting information, this can be either:

  • a letter from a professional
  • an official document, such as an up to date prescription list or care plan 

See more examples of supporting information from a professional.

You can also provide information that describes the impact the conditions or disability have on your life.

This can be either:

  • a letter or phone call to Social Security Scotland from someone in your wider support network who knows you well
  • information from a professional that describes your needs

Social Security Scotland treats supporting information from professionals and your wider support network equally when they look at your benefit.

If you’re unsure about what to send or who to ask, contact Social Security Scotland for advice.

How to provide supporting information

You can either:

It may take longer for Social Security Scotland to process your application if they get this information for you.

Ask Social Security Scotland to get supporting information for you

If you need help to get supporting information, you can ask Social Security Scotland to gather it for you.

Social Security Scotland:

  • can get in touch with your contacts and ask them to send supporting information to us
  • will only contact individuals or organisations who you have given your permission to contact

It may take longer for Social Security Scotland to process your application if they get the supporting information for you. This is because it can take time getting information from other organisations.

If you want us to get supporting information for you, contact Social Security Scotland for advice.

If you do not have supporting information

You can still apply if you do not have any supporting information.

Social Security Scotland will still consider your application without supporting information. Try to include as much detail in the application form as you can. Social Security Scotland may need to ask for more information from you or one of the contacts you have given us. This could delay your application.

If supporting information exists, but you do not have it at home, you can give Social Security Scotland the names and contact details of people who can provide this information. Social Security Scotland will then get in touch with them for you.

If you find supporting information after you have submitted your application

You should send supporting information to Social Security Scotland within 28 days of submitting your application.

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