New PIP and ADP payments from April for people on standard, enhanced or mixed awards

Linda Howard
·7-min read

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland show there are now more than 3.6 million adults across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and 374,655 people in Scotland on Adult Disability Payment (ADP). Some 80,000 Scots on PIP will transfer to ADP over the next few months.

A successful claim for PIP or ADP is currently worth between £114.80 and £737.20 every four-week payment period, however, weekly rates are set to rise by 1.7 per cent from April 7. People thinking about making a new claim for either disability benefit, or waiting on an award decision may not be aware there are eight possible payment outcomes.

READ MORE: New DWP payment rates for people on PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance from April

READ MORE: People with any of these 21 health conditions could be due up to £737 each month

That might sound a bit confusing, so to make it easier we have calculated all the possible payment opinions. Before we do the calculations for the new 2025/26 pay rates, you need to know the weekly payment rates for PIP and ADP first.

Daily living component

  • Standard rate: £73.90 (from £72.65)

  • Enhanced rate: £110.40 (from £108.55)

Mobility component

  • Standard rate: £29.20 (from £28.70)

  • Enhanced rate: £77.05 (from £75.75)

The DWP and Social Security Scotland will issue letters before the annual uprating in April which will tell you how much you can expect to receive over the new financial year. It’s important that you keep this letter in a safe place as it acts as proof of entitlement and can provide access to other means of support.

Payment combinations 2025/26

Single component award only

People on the lower or higher daily living or mobility component:

  • Standard daily living only - £73.90 per week, £295.60 per pay period

  • Enhanced daily living only - £110.40 per week, £441.60 per pay period

  • Standard mobility only - £29.20 per week, £116.80 per pay period

  • Enhanced mobility only - £77.05 per week, £308.20 per pay period

Lower rate of daily living and mobility

People on the lower rates of both components:

  • Standard daily living and standard mobility - £103.10 per week, £412.40 per pay period

Higher rate of daily living and mobility

People on the higher rates of both components

  • Enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility - £187.45 per week, £749.80 per pay period.

Mixed awards

People on the lower rate of one component and the higher rate of the other:

  • Standard daily living and enhanced mobility - £150.95 per week, £603.80 per pay period

  • Enhanced daily living and standard mobility - £139.60 per week, £558.40 per pay period

The latest DWP stats show that just over one in three cases (36%) received the highest level of PIP award of £737.20.

Online PIP 'test'

If you are thinking about making a claim for PIP - or ADP - an online ‘PIP test’ could help you make up your mind as it gives an indication of the number of points you would be awarded, which in turn, determines the level of award you might receive - standard or enhanced rate.

It’s important to be aware that the free online ‘PIP test’ provided by the independent benefits advisory forum, Benefits and Work, is not a guarantee that someone will be eligible for PIP or ADP.

An application to the DWP for PIP or Social Security Scotland for ADP also takes other eligibility factors into account including supporting evidence on how a disability, physical or mental illness or long-term health condition affects you.

According to DWP guidance on GOV.UK, entitlement to PIP is not based on an individual’s health condition or disability alone, but on how much a long-term health condition or disability impacts an individual’s daily life or mobility.

This PIP self-test is completely anonymous and has questions plus the points awarded for each descriptor answer and will help you understand:

  • Whether you would score enough points to receive PIP for each component (daily living and mobility)

  • Whether you would qualify for the standard or enhanced rate of each component

If you submit your email on the self-test page you will also be sent a copy of your results which could help you accurately complete the ' How your disability affects you ' evidence form that you will receive from the DWP. Take the PIP self-test online here.

It’s slightly different for people in Scotland applying for ADP as this can be done online and the questions asked contain images and more detail per question to help people understand what is being asked. You can find out more about the ADP assessment questions on the CPAG (Child Poverty Action Group) website here.

Below is an overview of PIP and ADP. Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Full guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website here.

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.

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 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

How to apply for ADP

People can apply for 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.

Latest stories