People receiving Adult Disability Payment (ADP) are being urged to check whether they qualify for additional financial support, as many related benefits and discounts must be claimed separately.
Latest figures from Social Security Scotland show there are now 504,710 people in receipt of ADP. The average time to process a new claim is 62 working days, just over 12 weeks. This means people making a new claim this month could have an award decision before December, although some applications can take shorter or longer to process.
Payments are worth between £30.30 and £194.60 each week, or between £121.20 and £778.40 every four-week pay period. However, many new claimants may not be aware that a successful award can also open the door to additional benefit top-ups, help with housing costs, Council Tax and travel. This extra support is also available to people on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Child Disability Payment.
Related benefits explained
Guidance on MYGOV.SCOT explains: "You might be able to get extra support if you get Adult Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland. These are called related benefits. These can help with living costs, with travel and transport, and if you are on a low income."
It is important to note that you need to make a claim for the additional support; it is not applied automatically with a disability benefit award. The guidance states: "You, or someone responsible for you, can apply for them. The rates of your disability payment will have an effect on what you can apply for."
People on a low income could get extra help if they or someone who lives with them gets Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment, or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance. The guidance urges people to "try to apply as soon as you can" and warns: "Organisations may not be able to backdate payments if you wait too long. You could miss out on some of the extra support you’re entitled to."
It also cautions: "Some benefits and services can affect other payments you may get. To find out what’s best for you and your household, ask local support services for help with benefits."
Employment and carer support
People receiving a devolved disability payment who also claim Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, or Housing Benefit may be able to get a higher payment from the DWP. The 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."
Carers of people receiving certain benefits may apply for Carer Support Payment. This includes ADP standard or enhanced daily living rate, Child Disability Payment middle or highest care rate, Pension Age Disability Payment any rate, and Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance middle or highest care rate. Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance in Scotland. If not eligible, carers may apply for Carer’s Credit. Young carers aged 16 to 19 might be able to apply for Young Carer Grant.
Housing, transport and travel help
People receiving Housing Benefit may get a higher rate of payment from their local council, known as a disability premium. They may also apply for a Council Tax Reduction, which includes discounts of up to 100 per cent on the Council Tax bill and may be available even if the bill is already reduced. Social Security Scotland advises contacting your local council to tell them about your disability payment and ask about help with housing costs.
For transport, people receiving ADP, Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment, or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance could get help with travel costs. Those with the higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment, enhanced rate mobility component of ADP, or higher rate mobility of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance can apply for an accessible vehicle or equipment lease, vehicle tax exemption, or a provisional driving licence early at age 16. A 50 per cent vehicle tax reduction is available for those receiving the standard rate mobility component of ADP.
A disabled person’s bus pass allows free bus travel within Scotland. For Child Disability Payment, claimants must have either the higher rate mobility component or the middle or highest rate care component. Any rate of ADP qualifies. A companion can travel for free if the claimant gets the middle or highest rate care component of Child Disability Payment or the standard or enhanced rate daily living component of ADP.
A Blue Badge parking permit costs £20 and is valid for three years in Scotland. For ADP, claimants must have either 8 points or more in the moving around activity, 12 points in the planning and following a journey activity, or enhanced rate mobility awarded under special rules for terminal illness. Those with a medical condition affecting mobility may still apply. Full details are available on MYGOV.SCOT.
