People living in Scotland who claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will have the benefit replaced with the new Adult Disability Payment later this year.
Starting August 2022, claimants will now longer receive the benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and will instead get the new type of assistance through the Scottish Government.
Delivered by Social Security Scotland, the Adult Disability Payment is intended to help with the extra costs of living with a disability or health condition.
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As reported by the Daily Record, the benefit will become available to claimants in the Dundee City, Perth and Kinross, and the Western Isles. council areas starting March 21.
The eligibility requirements will be similar to those of PIP, and the pay rates will be the same for the Daily Living and the Mobility component — which are currently between £23.70 and £152.15 each week.
The almost-300,000 Scots who currently claim PIP are not required to apply for the new benefit, as they will be automatically moved over once it is fully implemented.
However, there are two pieces of information that claimants need to ensure are correct on the DWP system before the transfer: their phone number and their address.
Information about the the transfer will be sent through these and so it is crucial that they are accurate.
To make it a smooth transition from one disability payment to the other, make sure the DWP has you correct address and telephone number.
This is a good month to check as the new award letters for the 2022/23 financial year are due and obviously, if you receive it, then they have the right address on file.
You may want to contact the PIP general enquiry line to check they have your correct telephone number - you can do this by calling 0800 121 4433.
DWP and Social Security Scotland will contact you before the transfer
DWP will send you a letter to let you know when:
- Your benefit will move to Social Security Scotland
- Your PIP award will end
Social Security Scotland will send you a letter to let you know what will happen during the move.
They will issue another letter once the transfer is finalised to inform you when your Adult Disability Payment is going to begin.
DWP will keep on making payments until Social Security Scotland begins to pay you - there will be no gap between the payments.
The guidance on mygov.scot states: “During the move, Social Security Scotland may need to call or write to you to confirm details like your address.”
DWP and Social Security Scotland will move your award
The guidance continues: “If you live in Scotland DWP and Social Security Scotland will move your award without you having to do anything.
“You will not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment.”
It’s also worth noting that Social Security Scotland will not reassess or review your award during the move.
It said: “If you were due a review with DWP, Social Security Scotland will review your award after you start getting Adult Disability Payment. This may affect your payment.”
Your Adult Disability Payment begins the day after your PIP finishes.
Who will move to Adult Disability Payment
You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment if you currently get either of these benefits:
- PIP
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults
Social Security Scotland will:
- move you without you having to do anything
- begin to move claimants to Adult Disability Payment from summer 2022
- send you a letter telling you what will happen when you transfer
