For almost 300,000 Scots, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) will replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP) starting this summer.
Social Security Scotland will introduce a pilot scheme next month followed by a full phased rollout of the disability benefit in every local council authority area up to August 29.
At the moment, PIP is administered through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is intended for adults of working age who have a disability, or a long-term physical or mental health condition.
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Those claiming PIP receive between £23.70 and £152.15 per week to assist with daily living expenses and mobility needs, as reported by the Daily Record.
In the newest LA Welfare Direct bulletin, the DWP has released guidance for employees to assist with the transition from PIP to ADP.
The bulletin states: “Claimants with ongoing awards of PIP or DLA do not need to apply for ADP. Their awards will be transferred automatically to the new Scottish system from August 2022, with no break in entitlement or payment.”
According to the DWP, it is recommended that local authorities follow "business as usual" practices for people claiming ADP in the same way as they currently do with PIP.
Giving an example, the DWP states: “If severe disability premium is payable on a HB [Housing Benefit] claim because of a claimant’s PIP award the same severe disability premium will be payable as a result of their ADP claim.”
It also states that IT software suppliers are updating the Housing Benefit systems in order to make sure the transition is simple for new claimants.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
Adult Disability Payment will rollout nationwide from August 29, 2022.
Phase One - starts March 21, 2022
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
Phase Two - starts June 20, 2022
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
- Angus
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
Phase Three - starts July 25, 2022
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
- Angus
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Fife
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- North Ayrshire
- East Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
Legislation to introduce the new benefit was laid before the Scottish Parliament on December 17, 2021.
Current PIP payment rates
PIP is made up of two components - daily living and mobility.
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You could receive the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate - £60.00
Enhanced rate - £89.60
Mobility
Standard rate - £23.70
Enhanced rate - £62.55
The Scottish Government will also undertake an independent review of Adult Disability Payment within a year of it being fully introduced, in which the eligibility criteria will be considered and feedback will be gathered from claimants.
Social Security Scotland has also been working with people with lived experience and relevant organisations to develop all aspects of the disability benefit application process to make it easy and inclusive for people to access support they are entitled to.
There are a number of ways to apply for the new benefit, these include:
- Online
- By post
- Over the phone
- Face-to-face
Social Security Scotland local delivery teams will also be available to provide assistance in all 32 local authority areas.
Find out more about Adult Disability Payment here.
Until March, if you are making a new claim for PIP or DLA, you should do so through DWP - find out more here.
