New figures from Social Security Scotland show 504,710 people were receiving additional financial support through Adult Disability Payment (ADP) at the end of April. ADP has replaced all new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for people with a Scottish postcode.
The latest data also shows the average time to process a new claim for ADP is 62 working days, just over 12 weeks. This means people making a new claim this month could have an award decision by the end of September, although it's important to be aware some applications can take shorter or longer to process.
ADP Payment Rates and Components
Many people thinking about making a new claim for ADP may not be aware that similar to PIP, the non-means-tested benefit can provide between £30.30 and £194.60 every week to people with a disability, long term illness, physical or mental health condition. Hundreds of health conditions are supported by both disability benefits.
There are two components to Adult Disability Payment - daily living and mobility - and someone could be awarded one or both components at the standard or enhanced rate. People on ADP could be awarded the lowest rate of one or both parts, the highest rate of one or both parts, or a mixed award of the lower or higher rates of each component. There are eight possible awards.
Single Component Awards
- Standard daily living only: £76.70 per week, £306.80 per pay period
- Enhanced daily living only: £114.60 per week, £458.40 per pay period
- Standard mobility only: £30.30 per week, £121.20 per pay period
- Enhanced mobility only: £80.00 per week, £320.00 per pay period
Combined Awards
Lower rate for both components: Standard daily living and standard mobility - £107 per week, £428 per pay period.
Higher rate for both components: Enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility - £194.60 per week, £778.40 per pay period.
Mixed rates: Standard daily living and enhanced mobility - £156.70 per week, £626.80 per pay period. Enhanced daily living and standard mobility - £144.90 per week, £579.60 per pay period.
Remember, ADP and all disability benefits are tax-free and do not affect the benefit cap.
ADP Award Reviews and Durations
When a person is awarded ADP, Social Security Scotland will set a review date 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 their payment continues to be at the right level. Payments will continue while a review is taking place and claimants do not need to re-apply during the process.
You may be given an indefinite award with no review date for ADP if your needs are highly unlikely to change or you are awarded the enhanced rate of both the daily living and mobility components. 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 this meets the principles of ‘dignity, fairness and respect’.
Award Entitlement Start Date
ADP is paid four weeks in arrears. Failing to submit the claim within the eight-week period may result in a different date of entitlement. Guidance from Social Security Scotland explains someone can begin an application either by phone or online - this is Part 1 of the application process. It continues: "Once they have started, the individual has 8 weeks to return the completed Part 2 of the application in order to ensure their entitlement to Adult Disability Payment begins on the date they completed Part 1. If an application is submitted after the 8 week period, the date of their entitlement may be later, depending on whether they have good reason for having submitted it late e.g. they have been in hospital."
