Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment. Most people get back to normal after pain following an injury or operation, but sometimes the pain carries on for longer or comes on without any history of an injury or operation.
Chronic pain can also affect people living with other long-term conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel and back pain. It is estimated that one in five people in Scotland are affected by chronic pain and the Scottish Government is working with NHS Scotland to ensure everyone living with the condition is able to access care and support.
Financial support is also available through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) for people of working age and Attendance Allowance for those who have reached State Pension age, to help cover extra daily living or mobility costs.
The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that, by the end of October 2022, there were more than three million people across Great Britain claiming PIP, including nearly 330,000 claimants living in Scotland. The figures also indicated that more than 170,000 people across Great Britain are currently receiving PIP for a chronic pain condition.
Number of people claiming PIP for chronic pain:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) - 24,254
- Fibromyalgia - 130,785
- Pain syndromes (specifics not known) - 15,686
- Total - 170,726
PIP is gradually being replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment, which rolled out nationwide to new claimants at the end of August after a phased rollout which began in March. At the end of October 2022, some 3,470 people were in receipt of ADP.
A successful claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £24.45 and £156.90 each week in additional financial support, and, as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
Below is a quick overview of both benefits, you can find a full list of the main health conditions being supported by PIP here, these are also supported by Adult Disability Payment. If you are over State Pension age and need help for a chronic pain condition, you could be eligible for either £61.85 or £92.40 each week - find out more shout Attendance Allowance here.
What is Adult Disability Payment and should I make a claim?
Below is a quick overview of the benefit, you can find a full list of the main health conditions being supported by PIP here, these are also supported by Adult Disability Payment.
Adult Disability Payment is made up of two parts:
- Daily living
- Mobility
You may qualify for one or both parts. The amount you get depends on how your condition affects your ability to do everyday activities and get around.
Daily living part
You may qualify for the daily living part if you need help with:
- preparing food
- taking nutrition (eating and drinking)
- managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
- washing and bathing
- managing toilet needs or incontinence
- dressing and undressing
- communicating verbally
- reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
- engaging socially with other people face to face
- making budgeting decisions
How much you could get each week
If you're awarded the daily living part you will get either:
- Standard award - £61.85
- Enhanced award - £92.40
If you are terminally ill you will automatically get the enhanced daily living award.
Mobility part
You may qualify for the mobility part if you need help with planning and following a journey, or moving around.
How much you will get each week
If you're awarded the mobility part you’ll get either:
- Standard award - £24.45
- Enhanced award - £64.50
If you get an enhanced award for the mobility part, you can apply to lease an accessible vehicle - find out more here.
Who can apply for Adult Disability Payment?
You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you have either a:
- disability or long-term physical or mental health condition
- terminal illness
Key points to note:
- You can still apply if you're waiting for a diagnosis
- You need to be between 16 and State Pension age
- You cannot get PIP and Adult Disability Payment at the same time
Check if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment
You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life. You can check if you meet the other requirements to qualify for Adult Disability Payment before you start an application.
Social Security Scotland will ask you questions about:
- where you live
- any restrictions on your right to live in the UK
- if you're on other benefits
- your age
At this stage, they will not ask about your disability or health condition.
What you need to apply for Adult Disability Payment
You can choose to apply for Adult Disability Payment online or by phone and paper. There are two parts to the Adult Disability Payment application.
Completing part one
Part one asks for your personal details.
It will help you to complete part one if you have:
- your personal details, such as date of birth and main address
- your National Insurance number - you can find this on your National Insurance card, a social security letter, payslip, P60 or P45
- your bank, building society or credit union account details
You can still apply for Adult Disability Payment if you do not have a bank, building society or credit union account. If your application is successful, you will need to contact Social Security Scotland to agree how you want them to pay you.
Completing part two
Part two asks you 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
Guidance from Social Security Scotland states: “It can take a long time to complete part two but you do not have to do it all at once.”
It will help you to complete part two if you have:
- 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
Questions you will be asked
You can download documents showing the questions you’ll be asked when applying for Adult Disability Payment here.
Supporting information
Supporting information is information that describes how your condition currently affects you and what support you need. Social Security Scotland uses supporting information to help them understand your application and make a decision.
You can provide any information you think will be helpful, however supporting information is usually copies of documents that you may have already, for example:
- social care assessments
- medical reports, letters or certificates
- prescription lists that show the medication you take
- test results
You can provide documents or Social Security Scotland can gather information on your behalf. Find out more about supporting information here.
How long you have to apply
Once you have completed part one of the Adult Disability Payment application, you must complete part two within 56 days (eight weeks).
If you're applying online, you can save your application and continue when it suits you within the eight-week period. You can ask Social Security Scotland for more time to complete part two if you need it and you do not have to give a reason.
You do not need to wait until you have supporting information before you submit part two of your application. You can submit part two and then send supporting information later.
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply Adult Disability Payment online, 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.
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