Adult Disability Payment is now open to everyone over the age of 16 and under State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or mental or physical health condition living in Scotland. The national rollout follows successful pilots in 13 local authority areas, which began in March.
It is the twelfth and most complex benefit to be delivered by the Scottish Government and replaces Personal Independence Payment (PIP), administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), for all new claims made in Scotland from August 29. It also promises no “DWP-style assessments or degrading functional examinations” as part of the application process.
The Scottish Government said that new claimants will only be invited to a consultation on occasions when more information is required in order to make a decision. Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said this will be more of a “conversation” with a health and social care professional to gain better understanding of how their condition affects them.
Some 313,620 people already receiving PIP and 39,000 getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from DWP do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment - these existing awards will transfer automatically from the DWP to Social Security Scotland.
Case transfers to the devolved welfare system began in mid-June, the Scottish Government said the process is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Commenting on the nationwide rollout, Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “The national launch of Adult Disability Payment is a significant milestone in the development of our new social security system, that will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.
“This is the twelfth and most complex devolved benefit to be introduced and, once all the awards have been transferred from DWP, this new payment will be supporting more than 300,000 people.”
He also explained how there are several ways to make a new claim for Adult Disability Payment.
He said: “We are offering a range of ways to make an application, including online, by post, over the phone or face-to-face. Social Security Scotland local delivery teams are also available to provide assistance in communities across the country.
“In creating our new system, we have worked extensively and collaboratively with people who will use this service. Their input, and their direct experience of the DWP system, has significantly informed our policy development and resulted in the number of improvements that we are making to the way in which we are delivering our new service.”
The Scottish Government is focused on providing a positive and compassionate experience for people applying for and receiving our Adult Disability Payment.
Mr Macpherson explained: “In our Scottish system no one will be subject to DWP-style assessments or degrading functional examinations, and we will never use the private sector to carry out health examinations.
“People will only be invited to a consultation on occasions when we require more information so we can make a decision. This will be a conversation with a health and social care professional to understand how a person’s disability or health condition impacts them.
“Social security is a shared investment in building a fairer Scotland. It is a human right and we encourage those who may be eligible for support to apply.”
Moira Tasker, Chief Executive of Inclusion Scotland said: “Inclusion Scotland warmly welcomes today’s launch of the Adult Disability Payment. Many disabled people are being disproportionately hard hit by the UK economic crisis and are deeply worried about just surviving this winter.
“The Adult Disability Payment will offer much needed support to eligible disabled people. It ushers in further progress towards upholding the values of dignity and respect in Scottish society, which were entirely lacking in the Department of Work and Pensions approach to disability benefits.”
She continued: “The Adult Disability Payment is a leap forward. It has the potential to enable disabled people and Scots with long-term health conditions to participate in their communities and wider Scottish society - whether that is through work, education, family life, or simply a life lived without fear of phone calls or letters demanding repeated assessments and sanctions.”
What is Adult Disability Payment?
Adult Disability Payment is extra money to help you if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.
Similar to PIP, it is made up of two parts - Daily Living and Mobility. You may qualify for one or both parts and the amount you get depends on how your condition affects your ability to do everyday activities and get around.
It does not matter if you're working or not and your income and savings are not taken into account.
Daily Living part
You may qualify for the daily living part if you need help with:
- preparing food
- taking nutrition (eating and drinking)
- managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
- washing and bathing
- managing toilet needs or incontinence
- dressing and undressing
- communicating verbally
- reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
- engaging socially with other people face to face
- making budgeting decisions
If you are awarded the Daily Living part you will be paid:
- Standard rate - £61.85 each week
- Enhanced rate - £92.40 each week
If you are terminally ill you will automatically get the enhanced daily living award.
Mobility part
You may qualify for the mobility part if you need help with planning and following a journey, or moving around.
If you are awarded the mobility part you will be paid:
- Standard rate - £24.45 each week
- Enhanced rate - £64.50 each week
If you get an enhanced award for the mobility part, you can apply to lease an accessible vehicle - find out more here.
How will Adult Disability Payment be paid?
It is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid every week.
It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
Who can apply for Adult Disability Payment?
You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment if you already get PIP or DLA from the DWP.
Social Security Scotland will move your benefit to Adult Disability Payment without you having to do anything. Find out more about how your benefit is moving to Social Security Scotland here.
You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you have either a:
- disability or long-term physical or mental health condition
- terminal illness
You can still apply if you're waiting for a diagnosis.
You cannot get PIP and Adult Disability Payment at the same time.
Check online if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment
You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.
You can also check if you meet the other requirements to qualify for Adult Disability Payment before you start an application.
The simple online tool asks questions about:
- where you live
- any restrictions on your right to live in the UK
- if you're on other benefits
- your age
You will not be asked about your disability or health condition.
If you do not qualify for Adult Disability Payment, the Social Security Scotland tool will tell you what other benefits you may be able to claim.
Check if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment here.
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