The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the date from which people living in Scotland should no longer claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Starting August 29, they should instead apply for the new Scottish Adult Disability Payment (ADP) benefit through Social Security Scotland.
Over 305,000 people living in Scotland who currently receive PIP will be transferred over the ADP, as reported by the Daily Record.
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Social Security Scotland began a phased rollout of the new benefit in March, and it is already available to people living in Dundee, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles who have a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition.
Early data from Social Security Scotland has indicated that between March 21 and March 22, almost 250 part 1 ADP applications were registered, as well as nearly 100 part 2 applications.
The former includes questions regarding important personal details from the applicant, while the latter concerns their condition.
The figure is based on information from Social Security Scotland’s case management system, and has therefore not been quality assured to the same standard as Official Statistics.
Official Statistics regarding the ADP, covering up to April 30, will be issued on June 14.
Adult Disability Payment launch dates
- March 21, 2022: Now open in Dundee, Perth and Kinross, the Western Isles
- June, 20 2022: Angus, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire
- July 25, 2022: Fife, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Moray, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
- August 29, 2022 - if you live elsewhere in Scotland
The DWP recently wrote in its Touchbase newsletter: “ADP will then be launched nationally, across Scotland, from 29 August 2022.
“From 29 August 2022 customers living in Scotland should no longer claim PIP but instead claim ADP.”
Those who already claim PIP will not be required to apply for ADP, as they will automatically be transferred over to the new benefit.
According to the Scottish Government, this “will be done safely and securely so that people will still get the same amount of money, to the same account” with the date of their first payment confirmed in writing before they transfer.
How does Adult Disability Payment differ from PIP?
Guidance from the Scottish Government states: “Treating people with dignity, fairness and respect will be at the heart of delivering Adult Disability Payment.
"It has been designed in partnership with people who will use it. Their input has been crucial in designing an improved service.”
Removal of routine face-to-face assessments
One of the key differences between ADP and PIP will be the removal of routine face-to-face assessments.
The Scottish Government stated: “People with experience of applying for disability benefits have told us that assessments carried out on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions can be stressful and anxiety inducing.
“Where we cannot make a decision on the available information, people may be invited to a consultation, which can be held virtually or in person.
"This will be a person-centred conversation with a health and social care practitioner employed by Social Security Scotland.
"Clients will be informed of everything that has been noted during the consultation and they will have a chance to review and respond to this. The consultation will also be audio recorded to ensure transparency and openness.”
Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson stated: “The unanimous passing of the regulations for Adult Disability Payment is a significant milestone for Scotland’s social security system.
"It means we can now take a very different approach to delivering disability benefits - in comparison to the current DWP system - and our focus is on providing a positive and compassionate experience for people applying for and receiving our new benefit.
“We know people have found applying for DWP disability benefits stressful in the past. That is why we have listened to their experiences and designed our new system to work for people, not against them.
"We are committed to doing things differently - we are ensuring that accessing Adult Disability Payment is as straightforward as possible and we will always start from a position of trust.”
He added: “Importantly, we have abolished assessments in the form currently undertaken by the DWP.
“Instead, and only where required, we will hold consultations between the person and a Social Security Scotland health or social care practitioner. Our consultations will not involve functional examinations.”
In addition, the Scottish Government also revealed that ADP will have largely the same eligibility criteria as PIP, to ensure that a two-tiered system is not created during the transfer process from DWP to Social Security Scotland.
There will also be a two stage independent review of Adult Disability Benefit.
“This review will begin later in the year, to consider what further changes and improvements could, and should, be made in the future,” explained Mr Macpherson.
Who will be eligible to make a claim for the Adult Disability Payment?
Eligibility is similar to PIP, and is therefore intended for people between 16 and the State Pension age who have difficulties with daily living or getting around outside their home — or both — and have had the physical or mental difficulty for at least 3 months and expect it to continue for at least 9 months
If a person is terminally ill these qualifying periods do not apply.
How are claims assessed?
Claims will be assessed by Social Security Scotland by using the claimant's account of their circumstances, as well as existing supporting information where possible.
The amount of face-to-face assessments will be cut down dramatically, and will only be required in situations where it is the only feasible way to make a decision.
Applicants will also no longer be asked to carry out tasks to demonstrate how their disability, long-term illness or mental health condition affects them as part of the application process.
Examples of supporting information
This will be used to help make a decision about your claim and will include:
a social care needs assessment
a report from a community psychiatric nurse
information from a carer
Payment rates for Adult Disability Payment
Social Security Scotland will provide the same rate of all forms of Disability Assistance as the current rate of the equivalent UK disability benefit (PIP) and will increase in line with inflation each year.
Based on current rates the weekly amounts of Adult Disability Payment are:
Daily living
Standard rate: £61.85
Enhanced rate : £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate : £24.45
Enhanced rate : £64.50
How often will my award be reviewed?
Unlike DWP payment awards which are reviewed regularly over a fixed-period of time, the ADP will be rolling with most being given a ‘light touch’ in order to be as non-intrusive as possible.
Will I still be able to swap all or part of my mobility payment for the Motability Scheme?
People who get the highest rate of the mobility component of ADP will be able to transfer either the whole or part of the money they get for the mobility component to access the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme .
This new Scottish scheme will provide a service similar to the current Motability scheme, with a range of cars, wheelchair accessible vehicles, scooters and powered wheelchairs on affordable leasing terms, with a range of adaptations at little or no cost.
Customers who have an existing Motability lease will be able to retain their vehicle until the end of that lease.
