People in Scotland can no longer make a new claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as it has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment, a similar but devolved benefit only available to people living north of the border. The new benefit is for adults over 16 and under State Pension age living with a disability, long-term illness or a physical or mental health condition.
Social Security Scotland will deliver the benefit with mostly the same eligibility criteria and payment rates currently being administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for PIP. This means new and existing claimants who receive ADP will be paid between £24.45 and £156.90 per week to help with the additional costs of daily living and mobility needs , as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
Some 329,334 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. The latest figures released by Social Security Scotland show that as of the October 31, 2022, some 3,470 people were in receipt of Adult Disability Payment.
Of this total, 3,135 people were new applicants and 335 were people who had their PIP award transferred from the DWP.
Letters will be sent out advising claimants when their award will be transferred, but it’s important to note that there will be no gaps in payments, awards will remain the same and it will be paid on the same day as PIP or DLA.
It is the twelfth and most complex benefit to be delivered by the Scottish Government and 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 recently 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.
The biggest change is the removal of face-to-face assessments, something the Scottish Government guidance clarifies in an online Adult Disability Payment Q&A factsheet.
It states: “We have replaced controversial private sector face to face assessments with compassionate consultations.
“A consultation will be a compassionate conversation between a client and a health and social care practitioner focused on the client’s needs.”
This consultation will also be audio-recorded, although claimants can opt out of this.
Social Security Scotland explains that consultations will be recorded to make sure the health professional conducting it has noted everything claimants tell them.
It could also be handy to have a record of the conversation if an appeal against the decision is made.
The Scottish Government stated in a new impact assessment published in June that it is also “working to ensure that individual consultations are as transparent as possible”.
The publication explains: “We have also considered how informal observations should be applied in individual consultations.”
It states that practitioners will be provided with specific guidance, training and resources regarding informal observations.
“Individuals must also be made aware of what informal observations are, why they are being made, and the impact they will have,” the guidance said.
It goes on to say how all informal observations will also be made known to the individual so that they have the opportunity to challenge or comment on the observation.
It added: “This will provide a transparent consultation service by ensuring that individuals are aware of what is being reported and recorded.”
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.
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.
Check online if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment
You can check if you meet the 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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