People making a new claim for Adult Disability Payment could get award decision by mid-July
New claims for the devolved disability benefit are currently taking an average of 42 working days from point of application to award decision to process.
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The latest statistics from Social Security Scotland show that at the end of January, some 433,055 people were receiving Adult Disability Payments (ADP), the devolved benefit that has now replaced all new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) north of the border. Of that overall figure, 145,090 (34%) were new applicants and 287,960 (66%) had their award transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The data also shows that the average time to process a new claim for ADP is now 42 working days, just over eight weeks. This means people making a new claim this month could have an award decision before the end of July - it's important to be aware that some applications can take shorter or longer to process.
The Scottish Government estimates that ADP will support 612,000 people by 2028/29, providing financial support of almost £4.5 billion.
Many people thinking about making a new claim may not be aware that similar to PIP, the non-means-tested benefit can provide additional financial support to people with a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition. Hundreds of health conditions are supported by both disability benefits.
There are two parts to the ADP application process and that if you complete part two (the condition questionnaire) within eight weeks of the date you submitted part one (personal details, GP details, etc) and your claim is successful, payments will be backdated to the date part one was submitted.
Adult Disability Payment conditions and claimant numbers
The total number of ADP claimants at the end of January, 2025 was 433,055.
Mental and Behavioural Disorders - 142,480
Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue - 91,275
Diseases of the Nervous System - 28,215
Diseases of the Circulatory System - 21,540
Diseases of the Respiratory System - 18,470
Neoplasms - 14,260
Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified - 10,955
Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases - 7,730
Injury, Poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes - 6,540
Diseases of the Digestive System - 6,460
Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities - 5,125
Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa - 4,755
Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process - 3,370
Diseases of the Genitourinary System - 3,030
Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue - 2,900
Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services - 1,975
Unknown - 1,565
Diseases of the Blood and Blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism - 1,200
Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases - 1,095
Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period - 5
Award entitlement start date
It's important to be aware that ADP is paid four weeks in arrears and that failing to submit the claim within the eight-week period may result in a different date of entitlement.
Guidance from Social Security Scotland explains: 'An individual can begin an application either by phone or online. This is Part 1 of the application process.
'Once they have started, the individual has 8 weeks to return the completed Part 2 of the application in order to ensure their entitlement to Adult Disability Payment begins on the date they completed Part 1.
'If an application is submitted after the 8 week period, the date of their entitlement may be later, depending on whether they have good reason for having submitted it late e.g. they have been in hospital.'
A successful new claim for the devolved payment is worth the same amount as its DWP counterpart, Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This means people over the age of 16 with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition could receive between £29.20and £187.45 each week - paid every four weeks.
ADP and PIP weekly payment rates 2025/26
Daily Living Component
Standard rate: £73.90
Enhanced rate: £110.40
Mobility Component
Standard rate: £29.20
Enhanced rate: £77.05
Scotland's welfare system is encouraging people to check for supporting information to include with their claim, which can help speed up the decision-making process.
Social Security Scotland said: 'We need supporting information to help make the right decisions as quickly as we can on disability benefit applications. While we can source this information for clients, our research has found some people may have supporting information to hand but do not realise it.
'This might be because they don't know what is useful to us or that supporting information can come from a range of professionals.'
It added, as an example, that if someone regularly sees a counsellor, physical therapist or support worker, they could be a better source of supporting information than a GP they may not have contacted for some time.
Examples of supporting information include:
care plans
prescription lists
a child's additional support needs plan
letters from a local authority outlining housing adaptations
letters or a report from HR explaining workplace adjustments
letters from teachers explaining what support the child needs at school
referral letters to specialists (e.g. CAMHS)
Part two of the ADP application form asks about:
your condition and how it affects your ability to look after yourself, understand information, and communicate with other people
what help and support you need and why
how you move around outdoors
any medication, treatment or equipment you need
Official guidance on mygov.scot explains other information which could help support your answers in part two includes:
information about your condition or your symptoms, if you're still waiting for a diagnosis
information about any medical tests you have had, and the results if you have them
contact details for your GP
contact details for anyone else who could give more information about your condition, such as a family member or someone who looks after you
More help about completing an application for Adult Disability Payment can be found on the Disability Rights UK website - a guide covering the whole application process can be downloaded for free here.
How to upload supporting documents online
For help submitting supporting documents online you can contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. There is also an upload page on mygov.scot here with all the details and document formats you need to know.
The Scottish Government also announced earlier this year that third sector organisations are to be paid a fee for helping provide supporting information for people applying for Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment. The £33.50 fee will be paid when they are asked by Social Security Scotland to complete a supporting information request form.
People who are applying for disability benefits who find it difficult or face barriers gathering supporting information themselves will be able to name organisations to provide this for them. These can include third sector organisations that are helping them in their day-to-day lives, such as those offering social care or support during an illness.
Collecting supporting information on behalf of people is one of the key differences in how people are encouraged and supported to apply for Scottish Government disability benefits. Supporting information request forms are completed to help understand how a person's health condition or disability affects their lives and what support they need.
As well as information from health and social care professions, information could also come from charities and third sector organisations who support disabled people.
The process of requesting and giving equal consideration to supporting information from third sector organisations is not offered by the DWP in England and Wales to people applying for disability benefits including PIP, Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.
Social Security Scotland said this is another example of how it is doing things differently to better support people applying for benefits.
To get help completing an application form, you may also be able to use a free advocacy service - find out more here.
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