The Scottish Government has announced it is “taking action” to reduce the length of time it takes to process new applications for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) following reported criticism from welfare rights advisors who told BBC Scotland it is taking between four and seven months for an award decision to be made. This could mean some new claimants making an application this month may not receive a decision until December.
ADP is a devolved benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland that replaced new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for adults over 16 and under State Pension age at the end of August last year. A successful claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week in additional financial support for those with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition.
However, statistics released by Social Security Scotland earlier this year showed that application end-to-end processing times are taking on average 79 working days.
At the time it said the “majority of people will receive a decision within four months” but added processing times can vary from a “few weeks to six months” in a small number of “very complex cases”.
Speaking to BBC Scotland on Thursday, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, said: “We’re seeing a small number of cases that are obviously more than the average of four months, but of course we want to get that average down and we don’t want to see people waiting four months, but that’s exactly why we’re looking at actions to see what we can do to improve that.
“Some of them may take some time, but some of them might be some quick actions that the agency (Social Security Scotland) can change.”
Who is eligible for PIP or ADP?
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.
- preparing, cooking or eating food
- managing your medication
- washing, bathing or using the toilet
- dressing and undressing
- engaging and communicating with other people
- reading and understanding written information
- making decisions about money
- planning a journey or following a route
- moving around
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
- whether you can do it safely
- how long it takes you
- how often your condition affects this activity
- whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
How are PIP and ADP paid?
PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the PIP and ADP payment rates?
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
PIP is made up of two components:
Daily living
Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
The 2023/24 payment rates are:
Daily living
Standard rate: £68.10
Enhanced rate: £101.75
Mobility
Standard rate: £26.90
Enhanced rate: £71.00
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that there is no choice here, it's up to the health professional and DWP.
Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.
You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
To keep up to date with the latest PIP or ADP news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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