Moving from PIP to Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
A case transfer is currently in place to move everyone in Scotland’s PIP benefits over to Adult Disability Payment. This is a new Scottish benefit offered by Social Security Scotland happening due to Scottish devolution. Adult Disability Payment is due to replace the Personal Independence Payment completely by the Summer of 2024.
When will I have to claim ADP instead of PIP?
If you are already claiming Personal Independence Payment, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will inform you when the process begins to transfer you to Adult Disability Payment.
We understand people will be worried about their existing PIP claim being affected by the rollout of ADP. However, during the transfer of moving PIP to ADP claimants’ payments will not be negatively affected and they will be paid their usual amount up until the day ADP starts.
Claimants are assured that they will not experience any gaps in payments or changes in the amount of money they receive during the transfer process.
Anyone who is already in receipt of Personal Independence Allowance or Disability Living Allowance does not need to take any action as their award will automatically be transferred to Social Security Scotland.
The Department of Work and Pensions will forward the relevant documentation about the claimant’s award to Social Security Scotland so that the client is paid the same rate of Adult Disability Payment. Currently, an estimated 300,000 people in Scotland receive PIP and will all be gradually transferred over to ADP.
Once Social Security Scotland has completed the case transfer the award of PIP will end.
Claiming ADP instead of PIP?
Applications for new PIP claims are now closed and people are advised to apply for Adult Disability Payment.
While Adult Disability Payment is not a means-tested benefit, there are a few requirements that claimants must meet to receive payment:
• You must live in Scotland and be between the ages of 16 and 66 when you first start to claim.
• Claimants must also have either a physical or mental health disability that affects their day-to-day living with points being allocated to the level of difficulty experienced with certain activities.
There are a few major differences between applying for Adult Disability Payment compared to PIP. These are as follows:
• ADP does not require any face-to-face assessments with the Department of Work and Pensions
• Social Security Scotland carries out the work to obtain documents such as medical information required to support applications.
If you do not claim PIP when the DWP asks you to, your DLA will stop.
Can I claim ADP Earlier than Needed?
If you are still receiving PIP, it is important that you do not apply for Adult Disability Payment as you will be automatically transferred by the Department of Work in Pensions.
Adult Disability Payment can be backdated if you have a terminal illness. If you claim within 26 weeks of receiving a terminal illness diagnosis, then ADP can be backdated to when you were first diagnosed as terminally ill.
What if I’m over 65?
If you turned 65 by 8th April 2013, you would be able to continue to claim DLA. The DWP will not ask you to claim PIP.
If you want to make a new claim and are over 65, you will no longer be able to claim DLA or PIP. Instead, you will need to apply for Attendance Allowance.
