Challenging a decision from Social Security Scotland
Last updated: 20/02/2025
If you’re unhappy with the result of your benefit application, challenging a decision through Social Security Scotland is the next step. This is called a “re-determination”.
If you’re unhappy with the decision you received from Social Security Scotland you would ask for ‘re-determination’.
You might want to challenge Social Security Scotland’s decision because you disagree with:
- the outcome of your benefit application
- how much you’re being paid
- when payments should start
Social Security Benefits that you ask for a re-determination include:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Best Start Grant
- Carer’s Allowance Supplement
- Carer Support Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Child Winter Heating Payment
- Funeral Support Payment
- Scottish Child Payment
- Short-term Assistance
- Winter Heating Payment
- Young Carer Grant
How do I ask for a 're-determination' from Social Security Scotland?
You can request a re-determination by:
- calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
- filling in a re-determination request paper form and sending your completed form to:
Social Security Scotland
PO Box 10303
Dundee
DD1 9FY
For Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment, you can request a re-determination online.
You have 31 days from the date you got a decision to ask for a re-determination of:
- Best Start Grant
- Carers Allowance Supplement
- Funeral Support Payment
- Scottish Child Payment
- Winter Heating Payment
- Young Carer Grant.
You have 42 days from the date you got a decision to ask for a re-determination of:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Carer Support Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Child Winter Heating Payment
- Short-term Assistance
Sometimes Social Security Scotland will accept re-determination requests made late if you provide a good reason and as long as you request it no more than one year after getting the decision letter. If you do not provide a good reason, Social Security Scotland may refuse your request.
What happens when I ask for a 're-determination'?
A new team at Social Security Scotland:
- looks at your original benefit application and the information provided.
- makes a new decision on the benefit you applied for
The new decision will cover things like whether you should get the payment, how much you should get, and from what date you should be paid. The team who makes this new decision will not have been involved in making the original decision about whether you should get this benefit.
What can I do if I disagree with this decision from the re-determination from Social Security Scotland?
The next stage would be asking for an appeal this can be done in the same way as the re-determination.
How do I ask for an appeal from Social Security Scotland?
You can request an appeal by:
- calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
- filling in an appeal request paper form and sending your completed form to:
Social Security Scotland
PO Box 10303
Dundee
DD1 9FY
For Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment, you can request an appeal online.
For further information and advice on how to ask for a re-determination or an appeal please get in touch with our channels and to find out where you can get support contact us here.