Adult Disability Payment is a new benefit for adults with disabilities who live in Scotland. 

It replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for adults who live in Scotland. 

It is administered by Social Security Scotland. 

It is not means-tested. 

It is not taxable. 

Reviewed: February 2023

• Eligibility

• Disability affecting daily living or mobility 

• Find out if you qualify

• Terminal illness

• Further Guidance

Eligibility

Adult Disability Payment is only available for people who live in Scotland.

Adult Disability Payment is for people aged between 16 and State Pension age. If you are already getting Child Disability Payment or child Disability Living Allowance and you live in Scotland, you can stay on your existing benefits until you are 18.  

There is an Adult Disability Payment eligibility checker on the Scottish Government website  

Disability affecting daily living or mobility 

You may be entitled to Adult Disability Payment if you have daily living and/or mobility needs, or if you are terminally ill. 

Unless you are terminally ill or you are transferring onto Adult Disability Payment from Child Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment your needs must: 

• Have lasted for the past three months, and 

• Be expected to continue for the next nine months. 

Daily living needs 

You may have daily living needs if your disability or health condition means you need help doing these things to look after yourself: 

• Make food or cook 

• Eat and drink 

• Take your medication 

• Do your treatment 

• Wash and bathe 

• Go to toilet 

• Dress and undress 

• Speak 

• Read and understand 

• Socialise 

• Handle money 

It doesn't matter whether you actually get the help you need. 

Help can include things like encouraging or reminding you to do something. 

Mobility needs 

You may have mobility needs if you need help to get around outside your home independently. 

For example, you may count as having mobility needs if you need help to plan and follow a journey because of a learning difficulty, a mental health issue or a sensory impairment. 

You may count as having mobility needs if you have difficulty walking or are unable to walk. 

What help counts 

You count as needing help to do an activity if you need a person or a thing to: 

• Do it for you 

• Do it with you 

• Remind you to do it 

• Watch you do it to keep you safe 

You may count as needing help if you need help but do not actually get it. For example, if you do an activity yourself but: 

• It isn’t safe 

• You can’t do it well enough 

• You can’t do it often enough 

• It takes you a long time. 

Find out if you qualify 

To qualify for Adult Disability Payment, you have to score enough points on the  Personal Independence Payment (PIP) test for daily living or mobility (or both).

For more information about when points are given, check out our Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Test guide. 

Terminal illness 

If you are terminally ill, your claim for Adult Disability Payment is treated differently. 

You do not need to show you have had the condition for three months.  

You do not need to score points on the PIP test. 

You will automatically be awarded enhanced rate of daily living and mobility components. 

The Scottish Government uses a different definition of terminal illness to the English Government. The Scottish definition of terminal illness is based on your doctor’s opinion of your illness.  

You will need your doctor to fill in a BASRiS form for you to send to Social Security Scotland. Someone else can apply on your behalf if you consent. 

Further Guidance

Disability Rights UK have a detailed online ADP guide. The guide covers information on such as how you're assessed and how you can keep a diary.  

Adult Disability Payment has two components, each of which has two rates. You might be awarded only one component, or both components. 

Daily living

• Daily living standard rate: £68.10 per week 

• Daily living enhanced rate: £101.75 per week 

Mobility

• Mobility standard rate: £26.90 per week 

• Mobility enhanced rate: £71.00 per week 

Updated: April 2023

You can apply online for Adult Disability Payment

Or by phone on 0800 182 2222 to start an application.

The Scottish Government provides independent help with Adult Disability Payment applications. You can contact Social Security Scotland.

You won’t usually have to have a face-to-face assessment when claiming Adult Disability Payment. 

Reviewed: February 2023

Scotland has started to transfer existing Personal Independence Payment claims to Adult Disability Payment since August 2022. It will take until Summer 2024 for Scottish Government to finish the move. 

You will continue to receive the same rate of benefit. You won’t have to fill in any forms or go to a new assessment. You shouldn’t see any gap in your payments. 

Reviewed: February 2023

You cannot get Adult Disability Payment at the same time as getting these benefits: 

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 

• Disability Living Allowance (in your own name – you can continue to get it for a child you are responsible for) 

• Armed Forces Independence Payment 

• Attendance Allowance 

Exemption from shared room rate 

People who get Adult Disability Payment get an exception from Local Housing Allowance (LHA) shared room rate for under 35s – if you are awarded Adult Disability Payment and get benefits to help with your rent, make sure you tell the Housing Benefit office or Universal Credit that you’re getting Adult Disability payment.  

Exemption from the benefit cap 

People who get Adult Disability Payment are exempt from the benefit cap. If you are awarded Adult Disability Payment and get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, make sure you tell the Housing Benefit office or Universal Credit that you’re getting Adult Disability payment. 

Exemption from non-dependent deduction 

People who get Adult Disability Payment are exempt from non-dependent deductions. If you are awarded Adult Disability Payment and get benefits to help with your rent, make sure you tell the Housing Benefit office or Universal Credit that you’re getting Adult Disability Payment. 

Other help 

Adult Disability Payment gives access to lots of other help – check out our guide on extra help you can get if you receive a disability benefit. 
 

Reviewed: February 2023