New Adult Disability Payment update for older people nearing State Pension age
A new benefit for people over State Pension age with a disability, long-term health condition or have been diagnosed terminally ill, is now available in five council areas across Scotland. Applications for Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) are now being accepted in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland.
The benefit will become available in 13 more local authority areas in March before rolling out nationwide across Scotland by April. New guidance explains how this will affect older people, nearing State Pension age who are currently receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
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It’s important to be aware that ADP will replace PIP for the remaining 80,000 Scots claimants over the next few months. If you already get ADP, the guidance states: “You’ll stay on it when you reach State Pension age. You will not transfer to Pension Age Disability Payment.”
This means ADP claimants will continue to receive up to £737.20 every four-week pay period past State Pension age. If they are in receipt of the mobility component of ADP, this will also continue - there is no mobility component with Pension Age Disability Payment.
This will also affect those nearing State Pension age with a health condition as they will be eligible for ADP and not Pension Age Disability Payment.
The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows there are 567,680 people over State Pension age claiming PIP.
If you have not yet reached State Pension age but are living with a health condition, disability or long-term illness, you may qualify for PIP or ADP. Below is an overview of both benefits.
Who is eligible for PIP or ADP?
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
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.
In addition to what we have outlined above, 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, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
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
whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that there is no choice here, it's up to the health professional and DWP. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.
How to make a new claim for PIP
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links. For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
