Page 35 - Reforming Benefits Decision-Making

expressly told not to provide medical evidence they do not already have. We
acknowledge that in the past some of the assessment providers have struggled
to obtain additional evidence, even when it has been requested. However, it is
clearly possible to obtain it. Maximus told the Work and Pensions Select
Committee it receives 82 per cent of requests back within 20 days. Further,
technological advances and the digitisation of NHS records should make it
increasingly easy for assessors and decision-makers to obtain medical
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evidence from healthcare providers. The DWP told us that in 2019 it
conducted a proof of concept to test the electronic sharing of data, where the
claimant had consented to do so, and that it intends to revisit this work,
although it is not a priority.

2.24 We also note that in respect of the new Scottish Adult Disability Payment, the
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burden of collecting information will be on Social Security Scotland.
2.25 In light of the above, we recommend that the assessor and decision-maker
guidance and training is updated to:

a) Make clear that HCPs/decision-makers must request additional
evidence where this information is reasonably required to make an
assessment. This should explicitly recognise that evidence may not
have been provided because claimants may not have copies of it –
rather than because it is not important or does not exist.
b) Explicitly state that HCPs and decision-makers must request further
evidence when this is required as a reasonable adjustment for
claimants with mental health conditions.

79 For example, during the pandemic the NHS app has been subject to considerable development. It
may be that learning and technology used in this context could also be used in the health and disability
assessment context.
80 Scottish Government, ‘Delivery of disability assistance to start in 2020’ (February 2019). However,
it may be that the Scottish Government are moving towards more of a shared responsibility approach.
In respect of the regulations for Child Disability Payment, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and
Older People stated “our focus will be to help applicants to collect supporting information so that we
can make robust and fair decisions”. However, she also stated in relation to the Social Security
Information-sharing (Scotland) Regulations, that “the Scottish Government is committed to supporting
individuals who apply for benefits by gathering that information on their behalf, they so choose”.
(Official Report of the Social Security Committee, (March 2021)).

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