More than half a million people in Scotland receive Adult Disability Payment (ADP), and they are being warned to report any changes in their circumstances or risk their payments being stopped.
Latest figures from Social Security Scotland show there are currently 504,710 people claiming ADP. The devolved benefit has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for new and existing claimants living in Scotland.
Review process explained
ADP awards are now reviewed by Social Security Scotland, not the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The date of your review is on your award letter. Around one month before that date, you will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland letting you know a review pack will arrive - usually within 10 days - which has to be completed and returned before a specified date.
The review pack contains a summary of your award, with the responses given at the time of application. The review can be completed on the documents provided or online, but must include any changes in your circumstances to ensure you are on the appropriate award level.
What changes to report
If your circumstances have not changed, you simply need to check the contact details and payment information are correct. If your circumstances have changed - affecting your disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition - then you need to report it.
Guidance on MYGOV.SCOT warns: “It’s important that you tell Social Security Scotland about any changes so you continue to get the right payment for your needs.
“If you do not tell Social Security Scotland about a change that could affect your award, you may be committing an offence under section 72 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.”
You must tell Social Security Scotland if your condition gets better or worse in the longer term, if the level of help and care you need changes, if you move away from Scotland (temporarily or permanently), or if you go into or come out of a care home, residential care, hospital, hospice, residential educational establishment, prison or detention facility. You must also report if you are awarded another benefit which might affect your entitlement to ADP.
You do not need to tell Social Security Scotland if your condition changes on a day-to-day basis, as long as your overall needs remain the same.
Information needed for the review
To complete the review form you will need your National Insurance number, the bank account details that Social Security Scotland pays into, details of any changes, and the date the changes happened or will happen (they do not need to be exact).
You can find your National Insurance number on your National Insurance card, benefit letter, payslip or P60. If you do not have your National Insurance number, it could take longer to complete your review. A full guide to the ADP review can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.
