Adult Disability Payment is set to replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for new claimants in seven more council areas this month, following on from the recent launch in Angus, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire at the end of June. More than 313, 600 existing PIP claimants in Scotland will start to transfer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) system to Social Security Scotland this summer, in a move predicted to be completed by the end of 2025.
The rollout of the new benefit means that people of working age with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition, living in Fife, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire or South Ayrshire can apply directly for financial support from the Scottish Government from July 25.
If you live elsewhere in Scotland and Adult Disability Payment hasn't opened in your area or appears on the rollout schedule, you can apply from August 29.
Along with the changes to disability benefits, new claimants will also see changes to the Motability Scheme.
While vehicles will still be available to lease from Motability, this will be done through the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme for new claimants and eventually, existing claimants whose current lease comes to an end - assuming they have transferred from PIP to Adult Disability Payment.
The Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme helps disabled people to lease a range of vehicles including:
- cars
- scooters
- powered wheelchairs
- specially adapted vehicles
Over 650,000 customers across the UK currently benefit from the options and independence offered by the Motability charity.
How the new scheme works
Social Security Scotland guidelines state: “When you lease a vehicle through the scheme, it will be with our authorised provider, Motability Operations Ltd.”
Social Security Scotland will help you pay the lease using all or part of either:
- the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
- the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
You can find more information about the scheme on the Motability website, here.
Who can apply
You can only apply for Adult Disability Payment if you live in one of the pilot areas from the date it launches.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
- Open now - Applications are now open in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or the Western Isles
- Open now - Angus, North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire
- July 25 - Fife, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire or South Ayrshire
- August 29 - if you live elsewhere in Scotland
If you do not live in one of the pilot areas and you get DLA, you may still be able to lease a vehicle - the DWP offers the Motability Scheme.
Applying to lease a vehicle for yourself
You can apply to lease a vehicle yourself if you meet all of the following:
- You get the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment or the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
- You are 16 or over
- You are able to manage your own payments
Applying to lease a vehicle on someone’s behalf
Social Security Scotland also advises that you may be able to apply to lease a vehicle on behalf of someone else.
This might be an option if you're either:
- A parent or guardian of a child receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
- An appointee for someone who is receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment or enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
How to apply
To apply to lease a vehicle using the scheme, go to the Motability website where you can:
When visiting a dealership, you need to present your certificate of entitlement.
Social Security Scotland states that you will find this included in your decision award letter.
Find out more about Adult Disability Payment and leasing an accessible vehicle on the mygov.scot website here.
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