People are being encouraged to share their views on how a Scottish Government disability benefit supports their mobility needs. The consultation on eligibility for the Adult Disability Payment mobility element will gather evidence to feed into a wider independent review.
Adult Disability Payment, delivered by Social Security Scotland, launched nationwide in August 2022 to replace the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It provides financial support of between £97.80 and £627.60 every four weeks to people aged 16 and below State Pension age who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or a terminal illness.
Adult Disability Payment is made up of two components. A daily living element for people who experience difficulties with day-to-day activities such as preparing a meal or bathing and a mobility element, which supports people who have difficulties moving around or planning and following journeys.
Ministers committed to this review to ensure the payment meets people’s needs now and in the future.
Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “Adult Disability Payment was developed in close cooperation with disabled people as part of our commitment to ensure Scotland’s social security system is delivered with dignity, fairness and respect.
“We want to hear a broad range of views on the eligibility criteria for the mobility element of Adult Disability Payment, particularly from people who are in receipt of disability benefits.
“We have already improved the application process for disability payments, while maintaining our commitment to safely and securely transferring people’s payments from the UK Government. We’d like to know about people’s experiences of this improved system.”
Mr Macpherson is urging anyone who receives Adult Disability Payment, or has views on how it is delivered, to respond to the consultation.
The consultation, focusing on the mobility element, will run for 12 weeks and will close on April 25, 2023 - you can view it here.
The Scottish Government estimates that Adult Disability Payment will provide support to over 510,000 people by 2025.
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