New claims for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) are taking an average of 86 working days to process by Social Security Scotland, just over 17 weeks. The latest figures show 510,150 people were receiving additional financial support through ADP at the end of July.
This means a person making a new claim this month could have an award decision by the end of January, although some applications can take shorter or longer to process.
Backdating and application process
There are two parts to the ADP application process. If you complete part two (the condition questionnaire) within eight weeks of the date you submitted part one (personal details, GP details, etc) and your claim is successful, payments will be backdated to the date part one was submitted.
Similar to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), ADP is a non-means-tested benefit that can provide between £30.30 and £194.60 every week to people with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition. Hundreds of health conditions are supported by both disability benefits.
Most common conditions and future support
The most common category of primary disabling conditions for people in receipt of ADP was Mental and Behavioural disorders, accounting for 41 per cent of the caseload. This was followed by Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (24 per cent) and Diseases of the Nervous System (7 per cent).
The Scottish Government estimates ADP will support 612,000 people by 2028/29, providing financial support worth almost £4.5 billion.
Entitlement start date and award reviews
ADP is paid four weeks in arrears. Failing to submit the claim within the eight-week period may result in a different date of entitlement. Social Security Scotland explains that once someone has started an application, they have eight weeks to return the completed Part 2 to ensure entitlement begins on the date Part 1 was completed. If submitted after that period, the date of entitlement may be later, depending on whether there is good reason, such as being in hospital.
When a person is awarded ADP, Social Security Scotland will set a review date. Awards can be issued for between 24 months and 10 years, though some people may be given an indefinite award with no review date if their needs are highly unlikely to change or if they are awarded the enhanced rate of both the daily living and mobility components. Payments continue while a review is taking place, and claimants do not need to re-apply during the process.
Payment rates and supporting information
A successful new claim for the devolved payment is worth the same as PIP. People over 16 with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition could receive between £30.30 and £194.60 per week, paid every four weeks. ADP is made up of two components: daily living and mobility. The weekly rates are: daily living standard rate £76.70, enhanced rate £114.60; mobility standard rate £30.30, enhanced rate £80.00.
Social Security Scotland encourages people to include supporting information with their claim to help speed up the decision-making process. It said: "We need supporting information to help make the right decisions as quickly as we can on disability benefit applications. While we can source this information for clients, our research has found some people may have supporting information to hand but do not realise it." Examples of supporting information include care plans, prescription lists, letters from a local authority outlining housing adaptations, letters from HR explaining workplace adjustments, and referral letters to specialists.
Part two of the application asks about the condition and how it affects daily activities, help and support needed, how the person moves around outdoors, and any medication or equipment needed. Other useful information includes details about symptoms, medical tests and results, GP contact details, and contact details for anyone else who could provide information about the condition.
For help submitting supporting documents online, people can contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. A full guide to claiming ADP is available on mygov.scot.
