Over 305,000 people in Scotland currently claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The disability benefit is currently being replaced by the new Adult Disability Payment (ADP), however, and by the end of August all Scottish PIP claimants will be moved onto the new benefit.
As reported by the Daily Record, following the launch of a phased rollout in March, ADP will be gradually introduced in all 32 local council areas over the coming months.
READ MORE — Glasgow Airport issues update to travellers about new security measures
Like PIP, ADP is intended for people below the State Pension age who have a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition to help with the costs of their day-to-day lives.
It was previously confirmed by the Scottish Government that those who already claim disability benefits through the DWP will be moved over to Social Security Scotland starting August 29 and will not have to apply for ADP.
In an effort to help claimants understand the differences between PIP and ADP, the Scottish Government has released a new policy paper.
It states: “Treating people with dignity, fairness and respect will be at the heart of delivering Adult Disability Payment. It has been designed in partnership with people who will use it. Their input has been crucial in designing an improved service.”
Differences in disability benefit delivery
The document summarises how Social Security Scotland will administer the devolved benefit from the UK Government.
1. “We are ensuring that accessing Adult Disability Payment is as straightforward as possible and we will always start from a position of trust.”
2. “People will be able to choose how to apply, using a channel that meets their needs.”
3. “The application form will be straightforward and easy to use.”
4. “We are funding an independent advocacy service which will support people to access support.”
5. “There will be no DWP-style assessments and there won’t be any functional examinations.”
6. “Social Security Scotland will only need to collect one piece of formal supporting information when making a decision.”
7. “The onus will be on Social Security Scotland to collect information on people’s behalf.”
8. “We will place equal consideration on all sources of information, including clients’ family, carers and friends.”
9. “We will apply the eligibility criteria fairly and consistently to get more decisions right, first time.”
10. “We will take full account of people’s needs and of fluctuating conditions.”
11. “People challenging an Adult Disability Payment decision will be able to access Short Term Assistance when challenging a decision.”
12. “We will fast-track applications from people with a terminal illness.”
13. “Clinicians will use their judgement to determine whether a person is terminally ill, rather than using fixed periods of life expectancy.”
Additionally, there is a roundup of commonly asked questions about ADP, which can be found here.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
ADP has already replaced PIP for new claimants in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles.
The next key date will be June 20, at which point it will replace PIP for new claimants living in Angus, North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire.
Following this, the new benefit will be rolled out for new claimants in Fife, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire on July 25.
People living in all other areas in Scotland will have access to ADP starting August 29, at which point it will be rolled out nationwide.
Existing PIP claimants will also start to be transferred on to the new system from August 29 - Social Security Scotland will write to you in advance of this happening.
It's important to be aware that you do not need to re-apply for this benefit, the migration will be automatic.
Adult Disability Payment rates
The payment rates for ADP will be the same as PIP.
Like PIP, it will also be made up of two separate components: a daily living component and a mobility component.
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 (£61.85 from April 11)
Enhanced rate - £89.60 (£92.40 from April 11)
Mobility
Standard rate - £23.70 (£24.45 from April 11)
Enhanced rate - £62.55 (£64.50 from April 11)
The Scottish Government has also committed to undertaking an independent review of Adult Disability Payment within a year of its full introduction, to consider the eligibility criteria, gather feedback from people who have applied and collect data to inform any proposed changes.
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.
