People needing help with certain daily tasks could be due up to £441 every month
The majority of Adult Disability Payment awards are issued by Social Security Scotland for between two and 10 years.
Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is a devolved benefit that provides extra money to people with a disability or long-term health condition which affects their everyday life. The benefit is similar in structure to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and is made up of two parts - daily living and mobility.
Claimants may be able to qualify for one or both parts, however, it's important to be aware that how much someone is awarded depends on how their condition affects their ability to do everyday activities and get around.
The daily living component of ADP is worth up to £441.60 every four week pay period while the mobility element is worth up to £308.20. Someone in receipt of the higher rates of both components receives £749.80 every four weeks from Social Security Scotland.
Daily living part of ADP
You may qualify for the daily living part if you need help with:
preparing food
taking nutrition (eating and drinking)
managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
washing and bathing
managing toilet needs or incontinence
dressing and undressing
communicating verbally
reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
engaging socially with other people face to face
making budgeting decisions
How much financial support you will be paid
Daily living
If you are awarded the daily living part you will get either:
£73.90 a week for the standard award
£110.40 a week for the enhanced award
Social Security Scotland guidance adds that if you are terminally ill you will automatically get the enhanced daily living award.
Mobility part
You may qualify for the mobility part if you need help with planning and following a journey or moving around.
If you're awarded the mobility part you will get either:
£29.20 a week for the standard award
£77.05 a week for the enhanced award
As part of the application process, 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
Adult Disability Payment consultations do not involve face-to-face assessments unless this is preferred by the claimant and will be conducted by in-house Social Security Scotland staff - find out more about this on the CPAG website here.
The latest statistics from Social Security Scotland show that at the end of January, some 433,055 people were receiving ADP. Of that overall figure, 145,090 (34%) were new applicants and 287,960 (66%) existing PIP claimants had their award transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The data also shows that the average time to process a new claim for ADP is now 42 working days, just over eight weeks.
This means people making a new claim in June could have an award decision before the end of August, although it's important to be aware that some applications can take shorter or longer to process.
The Scottish Government estimates that ADP will support 612,000 people by 2028/29, providing financial support of almost £4.5 billion.
Award periods
When a person is awarded ADP, Social Security Scotland will set a review date, this is to ensure the financial support meets the needs of the claimant. Awards can be issued for anywhere between 24 months and 10 years, however, some people may be given an 'indefinite award' with no review date.
Social Security Scotland reviews take place at a time when a person's needs are likely to have changed, to ensure that their payment continues to be at the right level. It's important to be aware that payments will continue while a review is taking place and they do not need to re-apply during the process.
ADP Indefinite Awards
You may be given an indefinite award with no review date for ADP if:
Your needs are highly unlikely to change
You are awarded the enhanced rate of both the daily living and mobility components of ADP
Guidance on mygov.scot states: 'This means your award will not be reviewed in the future unless you tell us that something has changed.' The Scottish Government says that this meets the principles of 'dignity, fairness and respect'.
How to apply for ADP
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.
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