Adult Disability Payment will replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for nearly 300, 000 people in Scotland this summer following a phased rollout across all 32 local council areas starting on March 21.
Adult Disability Payment is a new payment for adults under State Pension age who do not already get disability benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
People who currently receive adult disability benefits through the DWP will have their awards transferred to Social Security Scotland from the end of August, without any interruptions to their award and will not have to apply for Adult Disability payment.
The Scottish Government has released a Policy Position Paper which outlines the key differences between how Social Security Scotland will differ from DWP.
“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,” it said.
The guidance added: “We know that complex application processes can put people off, so we are ensuring that accessing Adult Disability Payment is as easy as possible.”
New claimants will be able to apply online, by post, over the phone or face-to-face.
There will also be no routine face-to-face assessments for Adult Disability Payment.
The guidance states: “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.”
To help new and existing claimants understand the more “people-centred” approach, a summary of the differences between Social Security Scotland and DWP in its delivery of disability benefits has been released.
10 differences between delivery of PIP and Adult Disability Payment
DWP: Limited advice is available on disability benefits - there is no take-up strategy.
Social Security Scotland: Telephone and online services will advise people what payments are available, and explain clearly how they can go about applying for them.
“We have a benefit take-up strategy to encourage people to take up the payments that they are entitled to,” guidance stated.
DWP: No way of applying for disability benefits online - this is now in a trial phase with some claimants.
Social Security Scotland: There will be a multi-channel approach for applications including digital, face-to-face, telephone and paper.
DWP: Claimants do not receive updates on how their claim is progressing.
Social Security Scotland: Claimants will be kept updated on the progress of their application.
DWP: The lack of supporting information can significantly affect the outcome of an application.
Social Security Scotland: Will seek one source of supporting information from a professional. Case managers can make an award in the absence of supporting information.
DWP: Outcome letters provide limited information about the decision that has been made.
Social Security Scotland: With every notice of determination they will provide detailed reasons to the claimant about how they reached their decision.
DWP: No financial support when challenging a decision.
Social Security Scotland: Short Term Assistance will be available to those challenging a determination or re-determination to reduce, or stop, an ongoing payment.
DWP: People applying for PIP are routinely required to attend a private sector face-to-face assessment.
Social Security Scotland: There will be no DWP-style assessments. For people applying for Adult Disability Payment, consultations will only take place where it is the only practicable way to gather accurate information about a claimant’s needs.
Consultations will be carried out by a suitably qualified Social Security Scotland practitioner and will always start from a position of trust.
DWP: Assessments don’t take place at a time and location that suits the individual.
Social Security Scotland: Consultations will take place through a range of channels. Individuals will be able to request an in-person consultation if they wish - this will take place at a partner location or in the claimant’s home.
Social Security Scotland explains: “We will give clients the choice of an appointment date and time that suits them and clients will have the option to reschedule consultations online or by phone.”
DWP: Assessors regularly make informal observations about clients without informing them.
Social Security Scotland : Observations made by a practitioner during a consultation must be evidence based and transparent. A client will have the opportunity to respond to any observations made.
Social Security Scotland guidance also states: “Consultations will be audio recorded unless a client chooses to opt out.”
DWP: Re-assessments for PIP can be laborious and unnecessarily intrusive.
Social Security Scotland: Will take a light-touch and person-centred approach to reviewing awards - only gathering any additional information needed to make an informed decision.
“Our aim is to minimise stress and anxiety,” it said.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
Adult Disability Payment will rollout nationwide from August 29, 2022.
Phase One - starts March 21, 2022
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
Phase Two - starts June 20, 2022
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
- Angus
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
Phase Three - starts July 25, 2022
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
- Angus
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Fife
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- North Ayrshire
- East Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
Current PIP payment rates
PIP is made up of two components - daily living and mobility.
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You could receive the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate - £60.00
Enhanced rate - £89.60
Mobility
Standard rate - £23.70
Enhanced rate - £62.55
To keep up to date with the new benefit rollout, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here, follow Record Money on Twitter here, or subscribe to our twice weekly newsletter here.
