Scotland has officially completed the transfer of nearly 350,000 disabled people from the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to the new Adult Disability Payment, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of a distinctly Scottish social security system.
The transition, which required the safe and seamless migration of data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Social Security Scotland, was completed without any breaks in payment or need for reapplication.
This month also marks the third anniversary of the Adult Disability Payment being available nationwide, and the Scottish Government is celebrating the achievement as the full delivery of a system designed to treat people with “dignity, fairness and respect.”
Unlike the DWP, Social Security Scotland does not outsource assessments to private firms.
Instead, it uses information from professionals who know the person applying such as GPs, support workers or social care staff to make benefit decisions.
People living with terminal illness have access to a fast-track process.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, 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.
“We will never seek to balance the books on the backs of disabled people.
“That approach will continue to be at the heart of social security in Scotland.”
Colum Porter, CEO of learning disability charity Garvald Edinburgh, welcomed the news:
“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.”
Over 470,000 people in Scotland are now receiving Adult Disability Payment, including around 150,000 new applicants.
Client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 92% saying it was easy to get help with their application and 84% agreeing information was accessible.
More information on how to apply is available at mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment or by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
