Delivering a new approach to disability assistance
‘rooted in compassion'.
Almost 350,000 disabled people who were getting Personal
Independence Payment have had their benefit awards successfully
transferred to Social Security Scotland – meaning everyone in
Scotland who was receiving the benefit is now getting Adult
Disability Payment.
This month marks the third anniversary of Adult Disability
Payment being available across Scotland and the complete transfer
represents the delivery of an entirely new approach to disability
assistance based on dignity, fairness and respect.
For example, while the UK benefits agency outsources assessments
to private firms, Social Security Scotland uses information from
professionals who know the disabled person when making decisions,
such as their GP or a support worker.
Adult Disability Payment provides money to help with the
additional costs that come with being disabled or having a
long-term health condition that affects someone's life. People
who are terminally ill can apply via a dedicated fast-track
route.
, Cabinet Secretary
for Social Justice, said:
“The transfer to Adult Disability Payment from PIP was a
monumental challenge that we've delivered for people across
Scotland.
“Nearly 350,000 individuals had their data safely and securely
moved from the DWP's systems to ours without having to make a new
application for assistance. We also ensured there was no break in
their payments.
“This month marks three years since Adult Disability Payment was
available across Scotland, the achievement of our ambitious plan
to deliver an entirely new approach to disability assistance
rooted in compassion.
“That approach will continue to be at the heart of social
security in Scotland. That is why I can assure people the
Scottish Government will not cut Adult Disability Payment.
We will never seek to balance the books on the backs of disabled
people.
“While the UK Government has caused so much anxiety for disabled
people in recent months, that is not an approach the Scottish
Government will take. We will ensure disabled people will
get the support they are entitled to and be treated with dignity,
fairness and respect.”
CEO of learning disability charity Garvald Edinburgh,
Colum Porter, said:
“It is good news that all adults in Scotland have now moved to
Adult Disability Payment and will be supported by a benefits
system built on dignity, fairness and respect.
“Many people do not understand how expensive it is to be
disabled. Disabled adults and their carers can face many
additional costs, and it is vital they get the financial support
they need.
“Applying for benefits can be daunting and many people have had
difficult experiences applying for PIP.”
For more information on Adult Disability Payment visit www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment
or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
Background
The most recently published statistics show over 470,000 people
in Scotland were getting Adult Disability Payment in April,
including around 150,000 new applicants.
The most recent Social Security Scotland Client Survey on the
experiences of the case transfer process, published in April
this year, highlights the overall positive experience of
people who had their award transferred to Adult Disability
Payment:
- Of respondents who had their case transferred to Adult
Disability Payment, 80% of people agreed or strongly agreed they
were informed about the process with 78% of people feeling
reassured about the process and 77% of people telling us the
communications they received were clear, easy to understand and
friendly.
- 92% - nine-in-ten people who received help from Social
Security Scotland to apply for Adult Disability Payment agreed or
strongly agreed it was easy to get support to complete their
application. With 84% of people saying they were able to get
information in a format that was accessible for them.
