People in Scotland will no longer be able to make a new claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from August 29 when the benefit will be replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in all 32 council areas across the country. At present, 13 local authorities are now offering ADP to adults over 16 and under State Pension age living with a disability, long-term illness or a physical or mental health condition.
The new devolved benefit will be delivered by Social Security Scotland and the process of transferring some 313,620 existing PIP claimants from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) began in mid-June and is expected to be completed by summer 2024. People already on PIP do not need to apply for the new benefit, and there will be no interruption in payments during the migration which takes around three months to complete.
Claimants who receive ADP will be paid between £24.45 and £156.90 per week to help with the additional costs of daily living and mobility needs. The benefit is paid every four weeks so this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
Payment rates for Adult Disability Payment
Social Security Scotland will provide the same rate of all forms of Disability Assistance as the current rate of the equivalent UK disability benefit (PIP) and will increase in line with inflation each year.
Payment rates are weekly and paid every four weeks.
Daily Living part
- Standard rate: £61.85
- Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility part
- Standard rate: £24.45
- Enhanced rate: £64.50
Extra support for claimants
Social Security Scotland has shared details of additional support claimants may also be able to claim, if their application for Adult Disability Payment is successful.
It’s worth noting that the additional support is also available to people in receipt of the Child Disability Payment, which replaced DLA for Children last year in Scotland.
You could receive extra help with:
- care
- housing
- transport
- travel
It’s important to be aware that you need to make a claim for the additional support, it isn’t applied automatically with a disability benefit award.
Guidance states: “You should try to apply as soon as you can. Organisations may not be able to backdate payments for all of the benefits and services if you wait too long. This means you could miss out on some of the extra support you’re entitled to.”
However, it also warns: “Some of these benefits and services can affect other payments that you get.”
Below is an overview of the additional support available, full details can be found on the mygov.scot website, here.
Help if you are on a low income
You could get extra help if you or someone who lives with you gets either:
- Child Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
Employment support
You might be able to get a higher payment from the DWPif you get Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment, and any of these benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Guidance states: “You should contact the DWP to tell them about your disability benefit. If you’re eligible, you’ll get an extra amount on top of your normal payment, known as a disability premium.
“You’ll continue to get your usual disability payment from Social Security Scotland.”
Just be aware that contacting DWP may trigger a change in circumstances for any current benefits you are receiving, so ask an advisor first.
Help for existing Tax Credits claimants
You could get a higher payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you already get Tax Credits.
You should contact them to tell them about your Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment within one month of receiving your decision.
You may also qualify for a higher rate of Tax-Free Childcare if you’re responsible for someone who gets Child Disability Payment - find out more here.
Support for carers
Carer’s Allowance
They may be able to apply for Carer’s Allowance if you get:
- Child Disability Payment - middle or highest rate care component
- Adult Disability Payment - standard or enhanced rate daily living component
Carer’s Allowance can affect other benefits that you and your carer get - speak to a benefits advisor before applying.
If they already get Carer’s Allowance, they might also get a Carer’s Allowance Supplement - they do not need to apply for this as it will automatically be paid to them twice a year - in June and December.
If they’re not eligible for Carer’s Allowance, they could apply for Carer’s Credit - find out more here.
Young carers
If your carer is aged 16, 17 or 18, they might be able to apply for Young Carer Grant - find out more here.
Help with housing costs
You could get a higher rate of payment from your local council if you already get Housing Benefit.
This is an extra amount on top of your normal Housing Benefit payment, known as a disability premium.
You may also be able to apply for a Council Tax Reduction - this includes discounts of up to 100% on your Council Tax Bill and may be available even if your bill is already reduced.
Social Security Scotland advises that you should contact your local council to tell them about your disability payment and ask about help with housing costs.
Help with transport and travel
Car travel
If you get either:
- Child Disability Payment - higher rate mobility component
- Adult Disability Payment - enhanced rate mobility component
You could apply for:
- an accessible vehicle or equipment lease
- vehicle tax exemption (free road tax)
- a provisional driving licence early at age of 16
You, or your nominated driver, can apply for a 50% vehicle tax reduction if you get the standard rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment.
Bus travel
You can apply for a disabled person’s bus pass which allows you to travel by bus for free within Scotland.
If you get Child Disability Payment, you must have either the:
- higher rate mobility component
- middle or highest rate care component
You can apply if you get any rate of Adult Disability Payment.
A companion can also travel with you for free on the bus if you get either:
- Child Disability Payment - middle or highest rate care component
- Adult Disability Payment - standard or enhanced rate daily living component
Blue Badge
You or your nominated driver can apply for a Blue Badge parking permit which costs £20 and is valid for three years in Scotland.
If you get Child Disability Payment, you must have the higher rate mobility component.
If you get Adult Disability Payment, you must have either:
- 8 points or more in the moving around activity
- 12 points in the planning and following a journey activity
- enhanced rate mobility awarded under special rules for terminal illness
You may still be able to apply if you do not have any of the above but you do have a medical condition that affects your mobility.
Full details about the new Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment can be found on the nygov.scot website, here.
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