Adult Disability Payment transfer must-knows for people on PIP moving to new benefit over coming weeks

Linda Howard
·4-min read

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are currently 80,272 people living in Scotland receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP). All of these claimants will move automatically in stages to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) over the next few months.

The latest statistics from Social Security Scotland show that at the end of October, some 374,655 people were receiving ADP and of that total figure, some 130,450 (35%) were new claimants and 244,205 (63%) were existing PIP case transfers from the DWP.

The devolved payment is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland and its latest figures indicate that of the 192,575 people now claiming ADP, 109,385 were existing PIP case transfers from the DWP. Existing PIP claimants do not need to claim ADP and should all have now received a letter in advance of the planned move, which will confirm the date when Social Security Scotland will take over providing payments.

READ MORE: People on PIP with 10-year award due new ‘light-touch’ review letter from the DWP

READ MORE: New Adult Disability Payment application guide could help people claim up to £184 each week

The letter also gives information on what claimants should do before the move, during the move and what happens after the process is completed. More importantly, it also tells you what to do if you are getting any other benefits.

Moving from PIP to Adult Disability Payment

  • DWP will continue to manage your benefit until the move is complete

  • DWP will continue to pay you the same rate of PIP

  • DWP will not review your PIP

  • Social Security Scotland will review your ADP award after the move

During the move

This is by far the most important section on the checklist, so make sure if there are any changes in phone number or bank account, that you tell DWP as soon as possible. Any information you give DWP will be transferred to Social Security Scotland.

  • You will still need to tell DWP if there are any new changes to your health, disability, needs

  • Tell DWP if your personal details change, such as your address, bank account and home or mobile number - Social Security Scotland may need to call you, so make sure the DWP has the right contact details.

When the move is complete:

  • Social Security Scotland will write to you to tell you that your award has moved to ADP

  • Social Security Scotland will tell you how much money you will be paid

If you are getting other benefits

The letter from Social Security Scotland states: “The move to Adult Disability Payment will not affect your entitlement to related benefits and services from other organisations like HMRC, DVLA or your local council.

“However, if you get any other benefits, you need to tell each provider about the move to make sure you stay in payment.”

This guidance is echoed on mygov.scot here.

The three-month window between notification of a case transfer should be enough time to report the change to the relevant department to ensure a smooth transition with no breaks in payments. Below is an overview of who you need to contact, full details are on mygov.scot, here.

It’s also worth noting that after you receive the letter from Social Security Scotland a similar one will arrive from the DWP confirming the planned move.

When to contact your local council

You need to contact your local council to tell them about the move if you get:

  • Housing Benefit

  • Council Tax Reduction

  • Council Tax Exemption

When to contact DWP

The guidance also states that you also need to contact the DWP to tell them about the move if you get:

  • Universal Credit

  • Income Support

  • Pension Credit

  • Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

It states: “You can do this by reporting a change of circumstances on each benefit that you get.”

When to contact HMRC

You only need to contact HMRC if your disability payment rate has changed during the move and you get either:

  • Child Tax Credit

  • Working Tax Credit

Carer’s Allowance

If you get Child Disability Payment, and your carer gets Carer’s Allowance, you do not need to contact anyone. The DWP will share this information with the Carer's Allowance Unit.

If you get Adult Disability Payment, and your carer gets Carer’s Allowance, you need to contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit. You should let them know that your disability payment has moved to Social Security Scotland as this information will not be shared automatically.

You can contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit via GOV.UK, here.

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