Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)

Adult Disability Payment is modelled on PIP but with some important differences reflecting the Scottish Government's commitment to a more dignified and person-centred approach to disability benefits:

• No mandatory face-to-face assessment: Social Security Scotland uses information provided in the application form and existing evidence from GPs, consultants, and other professionals to make decisions. Face-to-face consultations only happen where Social Security Scotland cannot make a decision without one.
• Consultation rather than assessment: Where a consultation is needed, it is described as a "consultation" rather than an "assessment" and is conducted by a Social Security Scotland healthcare professional, not an outsourced assessment company like Capita or Atos.
• Same descriptor framework: ADP uses the same 10 daily living and 2 mobility activity descriptors as PIP, so the criteria for the different levels of award are the same.
• Longer review periods: Social Security Scotland aims to give people longer award periods before review, reducing the stress of frequent reassessments.
• Scottish Charter of Rights: Social Security Scotland operates under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 and its accompanying Charter, which sets out the rights and values underpinning the Scottish benefits system.

To be eligible for ADP you must:

• Be aged 16 to State Pension age
• Live in Scotland (or have lived in Scotland for at least 26 of the last 52 weeks in certain circumstances)
• Have a physical or mental health condition or disability that has affected your daily living or mobility for at least 3 months and is expected to continue for at least 12 months
• Score sufficient points on the ADP activity descriptors for at least one component

ADP is not based on your diagnosis but on how your condition affects your ability to carry out the 12 activities assessed (cooking, eating, washing, dressing, communicating, reading, engaging socially, managing finances, planning and following a journey, and moving around). You need to score 8 points in an activity category to receive the standard rate and 12 points for the enhanced rate.

Apply for Adult Disability Payment through Social Security Scotland:

1. Start your application: Call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 (free, Monday to Friday 8am–6pm) or apply online at socialsecurity.gov.scot. You can also apply by post.
2. Complete the application form: You will be sent a detailed form asking about how your condition affects your daily life. Take your time and describe your worst days — not how you manage on good days. You have 90 days to return the form.
3. Provide supporting evidence: You can ask your GP, consultant, occupational therapist, or other professionals to provide supporting evidence. Social Security Scotland will also contact healthcare providers directly with your consent.
4. Decision: Social Security Scotland will review your application and supporting evidence. If they need more information, they will contact you. If a consultation is needed, you will be offered a date and location (or a home visit).

If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for a re-determination (review) within 42 days. If still unhappy, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Social Security Chamber) within a further 31 days.

If you were already receiving PIP in Scotland, Social Security Scotland will contact you about transferring to ADP. The managed transfer process means:

• You will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland telling you when your transfer review will take place.
• Your current PIP payments will continue without interruption until the transfer is complete.
• Social Security Scotland will use the information already held about you from your DWP PIP record.
• You do not need to start a new application from scratch — you will be asked to update Social Security Scotland about any changes in your condition since your last PIP award.
• If your circumstances have changed significantly, you should tell Social Security Scotland before or during the transfer review.

If you are unhappy with the ADP award following transfer, you can request a re-determination in the same way as a new ADP applicant.