The number of people claiming financial support for a disability, long-term illness or mental or physical health condition through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has reached its highest level since the benefit launched in 2013. The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of January 2023, there were 3.25million people across Great Britain claiming PIP, including over 319,000 living in Scotland.
Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced new claims for PIP in Scotland, but follows similar eligibility guidelines and payment rates. A successful claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week, and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £107.60 and £691.00 every payment period.
As the number of people making a new claim is forecast to increase, especially for ADP in Scotland, there is one thing everyone can do after they submit their application that could help the assessment or consultation process.
In the PIP 2 evidence form and part 2 of the ADP application, claimants are asked to describe how their condition affects their ability to complete various tasks.
Your ability to carry out each activity is measured against a list of standard statements describing what you can or can’t do - these are known as the descriptors. The responses you give will determine if you will be awarded PIP or ADP - but it’s not all you can do to improve your chances of a successful claim.
The best thing to do is keep a diary, or notes, on a daily or weekly basis of how your condition affects your daily life, whether that’s daily tasks like cooking, washing and dressing or the ability to follow a journey.
The simple reason for this is that due to the current application processing time, by the time someone from DWP or Social Security Scotland contacts you for an assessment or more details, several weeks or months may have passed and it might not be so easy to recall specific examples of how your condition affects you.
The current average journey processing time - from application to submission to award decision for PIP is 14 weeks, and 79 working days (15 weeks) for ADP. So it’s fair to assume that there may be up to 10-12 weeks waiting for the assessment or follow-up as decisions are usually made soon after the consultation.
Similarly, anyone considering making a new claim should keep a diary or note too, before filling in the forms as it could help jog their memory or provide relevant details for the additional information section on each ADP question.
The diary or notes can be kept in your phone, computer, tablet, notebook, an actual diary, or just pieces of paper. If you are doing it on paper, one of our Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group members suggests keeping them, along with relevant documents connected to the claim, in a folder, so it’s always easy to access.
If you have a disability, you can also get free advocacy help to apply for benefits in Scotland. Call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 and ask them to refer you to their independent advocacy service.
What to include in your diary or notes
The notes don’t need to be long, but easy enough for you to understand what they mean when looking at them historically.
This can include:
- Exact times or days your condition had an impact on you
- How it affected you physically and mentally
- How long it lasted
- If someone had to help you
- If you needed medical attention
The simple idea behind this is to build a picture of how your condition affects you, in order to help explain it to health professionals or benefit advisers if asked.
There are no right or wrong ways to keep notes for yourself on your condition, it’s just a quick way to help you recall incidents, especially if you are asked about them a few weeks or months later.
Who might be 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.
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.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
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. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
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.
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
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links. 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.
READ NEXT
- People on Universal Credit with health issues could be due payments of up to £1,059 each month
People on PIP never need to report any of these six changes to the DWP
People with any of these five common health conditions may be due up to £172 each week
People nearing State Pension age making new claim for PIP could get up to £691 for 10 years
Claim PIP for 87 muscle or joint conditions and you could get up to £691 each month
