Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is set to be replaced this summer for thousands of people.
As part of a pilot scheme by Social Security Scotland, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is a new disability benefit for new claimants on March 21.
Then there will be a phased rollout across all 32 local council areas until August 29, 2022.
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The Department for Work and Pensions currently provide PIP as a benefit for adults of a working age with a disability, or long term illness, or physical or mental health condition.
Those claiming it can receive between £23.70 and £152.15 each week to cover daily living costs and mobility needs.
As the Daily Record reports, the DWP has issued advice for employees regarding the transition from PIP to Adult Disability Payment in the February LA Welfare Direct bulletin.
They explain that claimants do not need to do need to do anything as their awards will be moved automatically.
The bulletin states: “Claimants with ongoing awards of PIP or DLA do not need to apply for ADP. Their awards will be transferred automatically to the new Scottish system from August 2022, with no break in entitlement or payment.”
Additionally they say that local authorities should follow “business as usual” procedures for people claiming ADP in the same way as they currently do with PIP.
It gives the following example: “If severe disability premium is payable on a HB [Housing Benefit] claim because of a claimant’s PIP award the same severe disability premium will be payable as a result of their ADP claim.”
It adds that IT software suppliers are making the required changes to the Housing Benefit systems to ensure a smooth transition for new claimants of the benefit.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
Adult Disability Payment will rollout nationwide from August 29, 2022.
Phase One - starts March 21, 2022
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
Phase Two - starts June 20, 2022
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
- Angus
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
Phase Three - starts July 25, 2022
Councils are repeated to help new claimants understand they can apply anytime following the initial rollout in their area.
Pilot takes place in:
- Perthshire and Kinross
- Dundee
- Western Isles
- Angus
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Fife
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- North Ayrshire
- East Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
Legislation to introduce the new benefit was laid before the Scottish Parliament in December last year.
Current PIP payment rates
PIP is made up of two components - daily living and mobility.
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You could receive the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate - £60.00
Enhanced rate - £89.60
Mobility
Standard rate - £23.70
Enhanced rate - £62.55
The Scottish Government has also committed to undertaking an independent review of Adult Disability Payment within a year of its full introduction, to consider the eligibility criteria, gather feedback from people who have applied and collect data to inform any proposed changes.
Social Security Scotland has also been working with people with lived experience and relevant organisations to develop all aspects of the disability benefit application process to make it easy and inclusive for people to access support they are entitled to.
There are a number of ways to apply for the new benefit, these include:
- Online
- By post
- Over the phone
- Face-to-face
Social Security Scotland local delivery teams will also be available to provide assistance in all 32 local authority areas.
Until March, if you are making a new claim for PIP or DLA, you should do so through DWP.
