Adult Disability Payment set to support nearly half a million people by the end of next year

Linda Howard
·5-min read

New statistics from Social Security Scotland show that at the end of October, some 374,655 people were receiving Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the devolved benefit that has now replaced all new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) north of the border. Of that total figure, some 130,450 (35%) were new claimants and 244,205 (63%) were existing PIP case transfers from the Department for Work Pensions (DWP).

There are also 80,272 Scots still receiving PIP from the DWP, but scheduled to transfer to ADP before the end of next year. Thai will bring the total number of people in claim for the devolved benefit to 454,927 and looks set to reach half a million in 2025 - if the number of new cases keeps pace with current quarterly trends.

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One new piece of data that will be of interest to many is that the average time to process a new claim for ADP has dropped from 56 working days in July to 49 working days in October.

This means people making a new claim before the end of this month could have an award decision before the end of March.

A successful new claim for the devolved payment is worth the same amount as its DWP counterpart. This means people over the age of 16 with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition could receive between £28.70 and £184.30 each week - paid every four weeks.

ADP and PIP weekly payment rates 2024/25

Daily Living Component

  • Enhanced: £108.55

  • Standard: £72.65

Mobility Component

  • Enhanced: £75.75

  • Standard: £28.70

Scotland’s welfare system is encouraging people to check for supporting information to include with their claim, which can help speed up the decision-making process.

Social Security Scotland 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.

“This might be because they don’t know what is useful to us or that supporting information can come from a range of professionals.”

It added, as an example, that if someone regularly sees a counsellor, physical therapist or support worker, they could be a better source of supporting information than a GP they may not have contacted for some time.

Examples of supporting information include:

  • care plans

  • prescription lists

  • a child’s additional support needs plan

  • letters from a local authority outlining housing adaptations

  • letters or a report from HR explaining workplace adjustments

  • letters from teachers explaining what support the child needs at school

  • referral letters to specialists (e.g. CAMHS)

Part two of the ADP application form asks about:

  • your condition and how it affects your ability to look after yourself, understand information, and communicate with other people

  • what help and support you need and why

  • how you move around outdoors

  • any medication, treatment or equipment you need

Official guidance on mygov.scot explains other information which could help support your answers in part two includes:

  • information about your condition or your symptoms, if you're still waiting for a diagnosis

  • information about any medical tests you have had, and the results if you have them

  • contact details for your GP

  • contact details for anyone else who could give more information about your condition, such as a family member or someone who looks after you

More help about completing an application for Adult Disability Payment can be found on the Disability Rights UK website - a guide covering the whole application process can be downloaded for free here.

How to upload supporting documents online

For help submitting supporting documents online you can contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. There is also an upload page on mygov.scot here with all the details and document formats you need to know.

The Scottish Government also announced earlier this year that third sector organisations are to be paid a fee for helping provide supporting information for people applying for Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment. The £33.50 fee will be paid when they are asked by Social Security Scotland to complete a supporting information request form.

People who are applying for disability benefits who find it difficult or face barriers gathering supporting information themselves will be able to name organisations to provide this for them. These can include third sector organisations that are helping them in their day-to-day lives, such as those offering social care or support during an illness.

Collecting supporting information on behalf of people is one of the key differences in how people are encouraged and supported to apply for Scottish Government disability benefits. Supporting information request forms are completed to help understand how a person’s health condition or disability affects their lives and what support they need.

As well as information from health and social care professions, information could also come from charities and third sector organisations who support disabled people.

The process of requesting and giving equal consideration to supporting information from third sector organisations is not offered by the DWP in England and Wales to people applying for disability benefits including PIP, Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.

Social Security Scotland said this is another example of how it is doing things differently to better support people applying for benefits.

To get help completing an application form, you may also be able to use a free advocacy service - find out more here.

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