PIP or ADP can provide up to £737 each month for people with long-term health issues

Linda Howard
·5-min read

Social Security Scotland has announced that it made £1.9billion in payments to people on 14 devolved benefits during the last financial year, seven of which are not available anywhere else in the UK. This includes £942million for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) which now supports more than 300,000 people with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition, north of the border.

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are currently more than 3.6m people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), including 126,296 Scots who will have their award transferred to the devolved benefit by the end of next year. Many people may be unaware that PIP and AD provide extra financial support of up to £737.20 each month for over 530 health conditions.

READ MORE: People on PIP, ADP or DLA due up to £749 each month from next April

READ MORE: Full list of monthly benefits and one-off payments only people living in Scotland can claim

It's important to be aware that an award for ADP or PIP is not based on the condition itself, but rather how it affects a claimant’s ability to perform daily living tasks such as cooking, washing, eating, dressing and engaging with other people in a safe and timely way. There are also nobility awards to help if you have difficulty moving around.

This means that every claim for ADP or PIP is unique for each applicant, which could also help people thinking about making a new claim to start the process.

Below is a brief overview of PIP and ADP, including the 20 main disabling conditions, as classified by the DWP - these conditions are also supported by Social Security Scotland.

A full guide to ADP with details on making a claim online or over the phone can be found on the mygov.scot website here.

Disabling conditions recorded by DWP

These are the main disability categories, the umbrella term by which more than 530 other conditions fall under. This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for.

  • Haematological Disease

  • Infectious disease

  • Malignant disease

  • Metabolic disease

  • Psychiatric disorders

  • Neurological disease

  • Visual disease

  • Hearing disorders

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Gastrointestinal disease

  • Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract

  • Skin disease

  • Musculoskeletal disease (general)

  • Musculoskeletal disease (regional)

  • Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)

  • Genitourinary disease

  • Endocrine disease

  • Respiratory disease

  • Multisystem and extremes of age

  • Diseases of the immune system

  • Unknown or missing

Who might be 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 are PIP and ADP paid?

PIP and ADP 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.

PIP and ADP payment rates 2024/25

You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support. Payments are made every four weeks.

PIP is made up of two components:

  • Daily living

  • Mobility

Whether you get one or both of these awards and which rate depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:

Daily living

  • Standard rate: £72.65

  • Enhanced rate: £108.55

Mobility

  • Standard rate: £28.70

  • Enhanced rate: £75.75

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 the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. 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 apply for ADP

People can apply for ADP online, 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.

How do you make a 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

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