Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for all new and existing claimants in Scotland, but the two benefits are not identical. While the payment structures are the same, the biggest differences are in how claims are handled and assessed.
Both benefits are designed to help with extra costs linked to a disability or long-term health condition, but they are delivered by different welfare organisations and follow slightly different processes. ADP is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland rather than the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which delivers PIP for people in England and Wales.
This means people in Scotland deal with a different system and application process. However, both benefits are not means-tested, do not impact the benefit cap and follow a similar points-based awards system.
Payment rates
ADP has the same structure as PIP, with two components: daily living and mobility. Each component is paid at either a standard or enhanced rate depending on how a condition affects the claimant.
To qualify for any ADP, you will need: 8 to 11 points for the standard rate, or 12 points or more for the enhanced rate. You may be awarded the lower or higher daily living or mobility component:
- Standard daily living - £76.70 per week, £306.80 per 4-week pay period
- Enhanced daily living - £114.60 per week, £458.40 per 4-week pay period
- Standard mobility - £30.30 per week, £121.20 per 4-week pay period
- Enhanced mobility - £80.00 per week, £320.00 per 4-week pay period
Assessments and decision-making
Both benefits use similar criteria to assess how a condition affects daily living and mobility. However, ADP is designed to take a more supportive approach, with fewer face-to-face assessments. DWP recently confirmed plans to increase the number of PIP face-to-face assessments.
Decisions by Social Security Scotland for ADP are more likely to be based on existing medical information and supporting evidence, rather than requiring a formal assessment.
Reviews and ongoing support
Both benefits can involve reviews, but ADP aims to reduce stress for claimants by using a more 'light-touch' approach where possible. This can include longer award periods and fewer reassessments for some people.
You may be given an indefinite award with no review date for ADP if your needs are highly unlikely to change, or if you are awarded the enhanced rate of both the daily living and mobility components of ADP.
For most people, the main difference between the benefits is not how much they are paid, but how the system works. ADP is intended to offer a more person-centred approach, while still providing similar levels of financial support as PIP.
Who might be eligible for ADP or PIP?
To be eligible for ADP or PIP, you must have a health condition or disability where you have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months, and expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months. You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
If you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP: preparing, cooking or eating food; managing your medication; washing, bathing or using the toilet; dressing and undressing; engaging and communicating with other people; reading and understanding written information; making decisions about money; planning a journey or following a route; moving around.
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, which are available on the GOV.UK website for PIP and for ADP.
DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at whether you can do it safely, how long it takes you, how often your condition affects this activity, and whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment.
How are ADP and PIP paid?
ADP and PIP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive for PIP and your rate will be regularly reviewed by the DWP to make sure you are getting the right support.
You will be assessed for PIP by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need. Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant.
Adult Disability Payment consultations will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant, and will be conducted by in-house Social Security Scotland staff.
How to apply for PIP
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, with all the information you need to apply available on the GOV.UK website. Before you call, you will need your contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number, bank or building society account number and sort code, doctor or health worker's name, address and telephone number, and dates and addresses for any time you've spent abroad, in a care home or hospital.
How to apply for ADP
People can apply for ADP over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
