Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is set to replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for more than 305,000 claimants living in Scotland from this summer.
Social Security Scotland launched an initial pilot scheme of the disability benefit for new claimants in March which will be followed by a phased rollout across all 32 local council authority areas until August 29, 2022.
PIP is currently delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is a benefit for adults of working age with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition. Claimants receive between £23.70 and £152.15 each week to cover extra daily living costs and mobility needs.
The DWP has issued advice for employees regarding the transition of delivery from PIP to Adult Disability Payment in a recent edition of the LA Welfare Direct bulletin.
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.”
The DWP also advises that local authorities should follow “business as usual” procedures for people claiming Adult Disability Payment in the same way as they currently do with PIP.
It gives the following example: “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 adds that IT software suppliers are making the required changes to the Housing Benefit systems to ensure a smooth transition for new claimants of the benefit.
Sections on the GOV.UK website now include references to Adult Disability Payment where applicable.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
The new benefit has now replaced PIP for news claimants in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or the Western Isles.
The next rollout is on June 20, for new claimants living in Angus, North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire.
This will be followed by a rollout in Fife, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire on July 25.
If you live anywhere else in Scotland, not listed above, the new benefit will be available from August 29.
Adult Disability Payment will rollout nationwide from August 29, 2022.
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
Adult Disability Payment will pay claimants the same rate as DWP does for PIP awards.
It is also 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 (£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.
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.
To keep up to date with the changes to the benefits system join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here, follow Record Money on Twitter here, or subscribe to our twice weekly newsletter here.
