New Adult Disability Payment update for people worried about impact of PIP reforms

Daily Record

3 days ago

A new review suggests the devolved disability benefit should be simplified and made more accessible.
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The Scottish Government has confirmed it will not make any changes to Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the devolved benefit that has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for nearly half a million people living north of the border.
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Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville, made the comments in response to the findings of an independent review of Adult Disability Payment. Ms Somerville said: 'While the UK Government seeks to make cuts to the vital support disabled people rely on, I want to make clear that we will not cut Adult Disability Payment. Instead, we will work to protect and enhance Scotland's social security system, improving on what we have achieved so far.'
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The review of the Scottish disability payment has called for the benefit to be simplified and made more accessible. Led by charity leader Edel Harris, the review calls for automatic entitlement to the benefit in some cases.
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The report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, found that while ADP is more 'compassionate' than the UK benefit it replaced [PIP], some people still face barriers and distress when applying.
Ms Harris welcomed several changes from the previous assessments carried out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but said there is more to be done to deliver a human rights-based approach to the benefit that delivers for disabled people.
The chairwoman of the Adult Disability Payment Review made more than 50 recommendations to improve the service.
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These include:
Enhancing the client experience and embedding trauma-informed, stigma-free approaches.
Simplifying the application form and improving the decision-making process.
Training, guidance, and clearer communication for staff and clients.
Reviewing eligibility criteria and improving fairness in decision-making.
A key recommendation from the review is that eligibility should be based on the real-life experience of clients and not just on a list of activities.
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The report recommends the application process is made easier for those with fluctuating conditions and mental health problems, and calls for welfare advice services to be sustainably funded.
Ms Harris said: 'Adult Disability Payment has been described by many as a step-change - kinder in tone and more dignified in approach. But too often, disabled people still find the system difficult to navigate, time-consuming, and anxiety-inducing.
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'I heard consistently that if we are to realise social security as an investment in people, it is important to ensure that the eligibility criteria fulfil this goal. This review highlights the importance of a system that is not only compassionate, but practical and accessible.
'The recommendations are based on real experiences and a shared commitment to making adult disability payment work better for everyone who needs it.'
Responding to the findings, Ms Somerville said: 'The Scottish Government's approach to providing social security is a compassionate one, based on dignity, fairness and respect, and I am very encouraged to read the feedback from disabled people that this has been reflected in their positive interactions with Social Security Scotland.'
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The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice added: 'I very much appreciate the comprehensive recommendations this report provides for how we can improve adult disability payment.'
Ms Somerville also said the Scottish Government will 'carefully consider all of the recommendations' in the report and provide its initial response by January next year.
The full report can be found on the Scottish Government website.
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The latest figures from Social Security Scotland show that there are currently 476,295 people in receipt of Adult Disability Payment. The data also shows that the average time to process a new claim for ADP is now 37 working days, just under eight weeks.
This means people making a new claim this month could have an award decision before the end of October, although it's important to be aware that some applications can take shorter or longer to process.
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Who might be eligible for ADP or PIP?
To be eligible for ADP or PIP, 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.
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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 for PIP and here for ADP.
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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 ADP and PIP paid?
ADP and PIP 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.
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ADP and PIP payment rates
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive for PIP and your rate will be regularly reviewed by the DWP to make sure you are getting the right support.
ADP and PIP are made up of two components:
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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:
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Daily living
Standard rate: £73.90
Enhanced rate: £110.40
Mobility
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Standard rate: £29.20
Enhanced rate: £77.05
How you are assessed
You will be assessed for PIP 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 the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
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Adult Disability Payment consultations will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant and will be conducted by in-house Social Security Scotland staff - find out more about the changes here.
How to apply 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:
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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
How to apply for ADP
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.