Question reference: S6W-02362
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 19 August 2021
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Current status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 3 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider fast-tracking applications for the new Adult Disability Payment from people who are undergoing cancer treatment.
Answer
Throughout the development of our new social security system our overriding commitment is to the safe and secure transfer of disability assistance from the Department for Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland. It is essential that clients continue to receive the payments they rely on. However, our decision-making processes will be significantly improved in order to better meet the needs of clients. This includes an expedited application process for clients who are terminally ill. We are also significantly improving the definition of terminal illness by removing arbitrary time constraints and ensuring decisions are better informed by clinical judgement.