More than half a million people in Scotland now receive Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the devolved benefit that has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for all claimants with a Scottish postcode. Social Security Scotland data shows 504,710 individuals currently receive ADP, and each faces periodic reviews to ensure their award remains correct.
Why Reporting Changes Is Critical
Failure to report changes that affect your ADP award could lead to payment suspension or even legal consequences. The official guidance on MYGOV.SCOT states: "It’s important that you tell Social Security Scotland about any changes so you continue to get the right payment for your needs. If you do not tell Social Security Scotland about a change that could affect your award, you may be committing an offence under section 72 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018."
The Review Process
Your award letter includes the date of your next review. Around one month before that date, Social Security Scotland will send a letter notifying you that a review pack will arrive within 10 days. You must complete and return the pack by the specified deadline. The pack includes a summary of your award and your previous responses. You can complete the review on paper or online, but you must report any changes in your circumstances to ensure you receive the correct award level.
If your circumstances have not changed, the review is straightforward: simply confirm your contact details and payment information are correct. However, if your disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition has changed, you must report it.
Types of Changes You Must Report
You must tell Social Security Scotland about any changes to your daily living or mobility conditions. Specific changes include:
- Your condition gets better or worse in the longer term
- The level of help and care you need changes
- You move away from Scotland, either temporarily or permanently
- You go into or come out of a care home or residential care
- You go into or come out of a residential educational establishment, prison, or detention facility
- You go into or come out of hospital
- You go into or come out of a hospice
- You are awarded another benefit that might affect your entitlement to ADP
Changes You Do Not Need to Report
You do not need to report day-to-day variations in your condition if your overall needs remain the same. Social Security Scotland acknowledges that conditions can fluctuate daily; only report if there is a lasting change.
Information Needed for the Review
To complete the review form, you will need:
- Your National Insurance number
- The bank account details that Social Security Scotland pays into
- Details of any changes
- The date the changes happened or will happen (exact dates are not required)
Your National Insurance number can be found on your National Insurance card, benefit letter, payslip, or P60. If you do not have it, the review may take longer to process.
A full guide to the Adult Disability Payment review is available on MYGOV.SCOT.
