Minister for Social Security, Ben Macpherson, has not ruled out the possibility of changes to the rates of pay or eligibility criteria for Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the new benefit which is replacing Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for more than 313,000 people living in Scotland between now and the end of summer, 2024.
During a recent Work and Pensions Committee meeting on health assessments for benefits and the launch of the new devolved disability payment in Scotland, Chair, Sir Stephen Timms MP, explained how it had been briefed to the cross-party group of MPs that the eligibility criteria and award rates for Adult Disability Payment are the same as those for PIP.
However, he asked Mr Macpherson: “Do you expect that to be the case in the long-term or do you think that, after an initial period, you may well want to look at some changes to those?”
The Scottish Minister responded by outlining the current progress of the phased launch of ADP ahead of the national rollout on August 29. He also explained how there will be a “significant process of case transfer” from the DWP of all claimants on PIP and Disability Living Allowance for working-age adults in Scotland, and transferring them to the devolved social security system.
But he warned: “It is very important that we do not create a two-tier system in Scotland, where individuals on a devolved benefit could be in a preferable position than those on a reserved benefit.
“However, the safe and secure transfer of people into our system, and the delivery of ADP, is not the limit of our ambitions.”
He then went on to explain how the Scottish Government is committed to an independent review of Adult Disability Payment one year after its commencement, with an examination of the mobility aspects of Adult Disability Payment starting this year.
He said: “The first part will begin this year, looking at mobility criteria, and then there will be a full, independent review in 2023-24 into Adult Disability Payment as a whole.
“We will then receive that review and anything that it wants to state to Government, and there will be a process for both Government and Parliament to consider any future changes to adult disability payment Thereafter.”
Mr Timms then pressed him on the “possibility of changes to the rates or criteria, or anything else that might get raised?”
Mr Macpherson replied: “Indeed, Chair, there is. Of course, that will need to be considered in a robust and thoughtful way, and also with consideration to the financial position.”
Eight devolved benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland increased by 6% in April while most benefits delivered by DWP wne up by 3.1% as part of the annual uprating.
The Social Security Minister also revealed that face-to-face consultations will be available if people want them, but, in the majority of applications so far, “consultations have taken place over the phone with an internal health and social care practitioner from Social SecurityScotland”.
He explained: “It is a compassionate conversation to make sure that we acquire the information that we need to make a decision on somebody’s submission. All of that, we strongly believe, will lead to accurate decisions in the first instance.”
Adult Disability Payment launch dates
People living in the pilot areas aged between 16 and State Pension age can now make an application online, in person, over the phone or by post.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
- Now open - Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or the Western Isles
- Now open - 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
You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults from the DWP.
Social Security Scotland will start to move your benefit to Adult Disability Payment without you having to do anything and notify you in due course - the process takes around three months to complete.
Adult Disability Payment rates 2022/23
Adult Disability Payment is awarded at the same rates as PIP and is made up of two parts:
- Daily living
- Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You could be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
- Standard rate: £61.85
- Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
- Standard rate: £24.45
- Enhanced rate: £64.50
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 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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