People in Scotland will no longer be able to make a new claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from August 29 when the benefit will be replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in all 32 council areas across the country. At present, 13 local authorities are now offering ADP to adults over 16 and under State Pension age living with a disability, long-term illness or a physical or mental health condition.
The new devolved benefit will be delivered by Social Security Scotland and the process of transferring some 313,620 existing PIP claimants from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) began in mid-June and is expected to be completed by summer 2024. People already on PIP do not need to apply for the new benefit, and there will be no interruption in payments during the migration which takes around three months to complete.
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. The benefit is paid every four weeks so this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
Eligibility and payment rates are the same as PIP, however, one of the main differences between the two disability benefits is the way assessments or consultations are conducted.
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.
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 need to be between 16 and State Pension age (66).
You cannot get PIP and Adult Disability Payment at the same time.
You can only make a claim for Adult Disability Payment if it is open in your area, if it is not, you will need to wait until August 29 - or make a claim for PIP instead.
It's worth noting that new claims for PIP currently take around 20 weeks to process.
ADP is open to new applications in:
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Dundee City
- East Ayrshire
- Fife
- Moray
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Perth and Kinross
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Western Isles
For more content on ADP, check out the Daily Record’s dedicated section on it 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.
Weekly payment rates
Daily Living component
- Standard rate: £61.85
- Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility component
- 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 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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