As of this week, the new Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has begun to replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for new claimants in certain Scottish council areas.
People under the State Pension age living in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or the Western Isles who have a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition can now apply for the benefit through Social Security Scotland.
Those who already claim PIP and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will not need to make a new claim for ADP as they will be moved over automatically starting from August 29.
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Alongside changes to their benefits, people claiming ADP will also see changes to the Motability Scheme, as reported by the Daily Record.
Vehicles will still be available to lease through the scheme, but for new — and eventually existing — claimants this will be done via the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme.
The Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme helps disabled people to lease a range of vehicles including:
- cars
- scooters
- powered wheelchairs
- specially adapted vehicles
More than 650,000 people throughout the UK currently make use of the Motability scheme.
How the new scheme works
According to Social Security Scotland: “When you lease a vehicle through the scheme, it will be with our authorised provider, Motability Operations Ltd.”
Social Security Scotland will assist you in paying the lease using all or part of either:
- the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
- the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
More information regarding the scheme can be found here.
Who can apply
Only those living in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or the Western Isles can currently apply for ADP, but it will be rolled out across the rest of Scotland throughout the year.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
- March 21 - Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or the Western Isles
- June 20 - Angus, North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire
- July 25 - Fife, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire or South Ayrshire
- August 29 - if you live elsewhere in Scotland
If you do not live in one of the pilot areas and you get DLA, you may still be able to lease a vehicle - the DWP offers the Motability Scheme.
Applying to lease a vehicle for yourself
You can apply to lease a vehicle yourself if you meet all of the following:
- You get the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment or the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
- You are 16 or over
- You are able to manage your own payments
Applying to lease a vehicle on someone’s behalf
Social Security Scotland also advises that you may be able to apply to lease a vehicle on behalf of someone else.
This might be an option if you're either:
- A parent or guardian of a child receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
- An appointee for someone who is receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment or enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
How to apply
To apply to lease a vehicle using the scheme, go to the Motability website where you can:
When visiting a dealership, you need to present your certificate of entitlement.
Social Security Scotland states that you will find this included in your decision award letter.
Find out more about Adult Disability Payment and leasing an accessible vehicle on the mygov.scot website here.
