The devolved disability benefit can support people with a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition.
The latest figures from Social Security Scotland show at the end of January, some 498,090 people were receiving Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the devolved benefit that has now replaced all new and the vast majority of existing claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) north of the border.
Many people thinking about making a new claim may not be aware that similar to PIP, the non-means-tested benefit can provide additional financial support to people with a disability, long term illness, physical or mental health condition. Hundreds of health conditions are supported by both disability benefits.
The data also shows the average time to process a new claim for ADP is now 57 working days, just over 11 weeks.
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This means people making a new claim this week, or at the start of June, could have an award decision before August, although it’s important to be aware some applications can take shorter or longer to process.
There are two parts to the ADP application process and if you complete part two (the condition questionnaire) within eight weeks of the date you submitted part one (personal details, GP details, etc) and your claim is successful, payments will be backdated to the date part one was submitted.
The most common category of primary disabling conditions for people in receipt of Adult Disability Payment as of January 31, 2026 was Mental and Behavioural disorders, which accounted for 40 per cent of the caseload.
This was followed by Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue which accounted for 24 per cent of the caseload, and Diseases of the Nervous System which accounted for 7 per cent.
The Scottish Government estimates ADP will support 612,000 people by 2028/29, providing financial support of almost £4.5 billion.
Adult Disability Payment health conditions
These are the umbrella disabling health conditions under which a multitude of other conditions are covered:
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
- Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
- Diseases of the Nervous System
- Diseases of the Circulatory System
- Diseases of the Respiratory System
- Neoplasms
- Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
- Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases
- Injury, Poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
- Diseases of the Digestive System
- Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa
- Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process
- Diseases of the Genitourinary System
- Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue
- Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services
- Diseases of the Blood and Blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism
- Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
- Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period
- Award entitlement start date
Award entitlement start date
It’s important to be aware that ADP is paid four weeks in arrears and that failing to submit the claim within the eight-week period may result in a different date of entitlement.
Guidance from Social Security Scotland explains that 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.”
Adult Disability Payment Awards
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 their payment continues to be at the right level. It’s important to be aware payments will continue while a review is taking place and they 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
- 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 this meets the principles of ‘dignity, fairness and respect’.
ADP payment rates
A successful new claim for the devolved payment is worth the same amount as its DWP counterpart, Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
This means people over the age of 16 with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition could receive between £30.30 and £194.60 per week – paid every four weeks.
ADP is made up of two components:
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
- Standard rate: £76.70
- Enhanced rate: £114.60
Mobility
- Standard rate: £30.30
- Enhanced rate: £80.00
Supporting information for your claim
Scotland’s welfare system is encouraging people to check for supporting information to include with their claim, which can help speed up the decision-making process.
Social Security Scotland said: “We need supporting information to help make the right decisions as quickly as we can on disability benefit applications. While we can source this information for clients, our research has found some people may have supporting information to hand but do not realise it.
“This might be because they don’t know what is useful to us or that supporting information can come from a range of professionals.”
It added, as an example, that if someone regularly sees a counsellor, physical therapist or support worker, they could be a better source of supporting information than a GP they may not have contacted for some time.
Examples of supporting information include:
- care plans
- prescription lists
- a child’s additional support needs plan
- letters from a local authority outlining housing adaptations
- letters or a report from HR explaining workplace adjustments
- letters from teachers explaining what support the child needs at school
- referral letters to specialists (e.g. CAMHS)
Part two of the ADP application form asks about:
- your condition and how it affects your ability to look after yourself, understand information, and communicate with other people
- what help and support you need and why
- how you move around outdoors
- any medication, treatment or equipment you need
Official guidance on mygov.scot explains other information which could help support your answers in part two includes:
- information about your condition or your symptoms, if you’re still waiting for a diagnosis
- information about any medical tests you have had, and the results if you have them
- contact details for your GP
- contact details for anyone else who could give more information about your condition, such as a family member or someone who looks after you
More help about completing an application for Adult Disability Payment can be found on the Disability Rights UK website – a guide covering the whole application process can be downloaded for free here.
How to upload supporting documents online
For help submitting supporting documents online you can contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. There is also an upload page on MYGOV.SCOT with all the details and document formats you need to know.
A full guide to claiming Adult Disability Payment can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.
