Call for Evidence for the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment
Section 2 - Pre-application Support
This set of questions are about pre-application support services for Adult Disability Payment which are described in Section 2 of the call for evidence paper.
Background
Local Delivery Service
The Scottish Government has set up the Local Delivery Service in every local authority across Scotland to help support people applying for social security benefits.
A Local Delivery appointment allows people to get private and confidential support with an application from a trained client support adviser, or just ask questions about the application process.
A client support adviser can answer questions about applying for Scottish Government benefits, assist with filling in and submitting applications and forms, and let people know what type of supporting information they will need to provide.
Supporting information is information that:
- confirms someone’s conditions, disability, or needs
- describes the impact someone’s conditions or disability have on their life.
People can arrange to speak with a client support adviser at a location and time that suits them, for example:
- at a venue in their local community
- in a person’s home
- in a hospital or prison
- via video call
- via telephone appointment.
Independent Advocacy Service
The Scottish Government has set up an Independent Advocacy Service. It has appointed a charity called VoiceAbility to deliver this service and the Scottish Government funds this service.
The agreement between the Scottish Government and VoiceAbility means it must ensure support is available to disabled people to help them engage effectively with Social Security Scotland. The service provides independent advocates who can help people to:
- make sure they are understood
- say what they think, want or need
- understand and ask questions about benefits
- understand how to apply for benefits
- understand letters, application forms, phone calls and meetings with Social Security Scotland
- make sure they have information they need to help make decisions
- understand what to do if they are not happy.
An advocate will not:
- provide advice about benefits
- offer legal advice
- make decisions for the person
- share their own views or opinion.
People can ask for an advocate’s help at any time, not just when they are applying for Adult Disability Payment.
The independent review has heard from early engagement that some people applying for Adult Disability Payment might not know what support is available.