More than half a million people in Scotland are receiving Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the devolved benefit that has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for new and existing claimants living in Scotland.
Figures from Social Security Scotland show there are currently 504,710 people claiming ADP. Awards are now reviewed by Social Security Scotland, not the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Review process
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. This pack must 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 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.” It adds: “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.”
Types of changes to report
You must tell Social Security Scotland about any changes to your daily living conditions or mobility. You must also tell them if:
- your condition gets better or worse in the longer term
- the level of help and care you need changes
- you move away from Scotland, either temporarily or permanently
- you go into or come out of a care home or residential care
- you go into or come out of a residential educational establishment, prison or a detention facility
- you go into or come out of hospital
- you go into or come out of a hospice
- you're awarded another benefit which might affect your entitlement to Adult Disability Payment
You do not need to tell Social Security Scotland if your condition changes on a day to day basis. If your overall needs remain the same, then you do not need to report it.
Information needed for review
To complete the review form you'll 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 Adult Disability Payment review can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.
