Quick answer
Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is the Scottish disability benefit worth between £30.30 and £194.60 a week (up to £10,000 a year, tax-free) for people aged 16 or over with a long-term health condition or disability that affects their daily life. It is paid by Social Security Scotland, is not means-tested, is not affected by work, is paid on top of other benefits, and is based on 12 specific daily living and mobility activities. In Scotland most decisions are made on your form alone, so your form is your case. Below is the complete guide.
What does ADP stand for?
ADP stands for Adult Disability Payment. It is a Scottish benefit administered by Social Security Scotland. ADP replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland and is designed to help cover the extra costs of living with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
Despite the name, ADP is not just about physical independence. It covers a wide range of conditions and is assessed on how your condition affects your ability to do everyday activities, not on the diagnosis itself.
Who can claim ADP?
You can claim ADP if all of the following apply:
- You are aged 16 or over when you first apply
- You live in Scotland (people in England and Wales claim PIP from the Department for Work and Pensions instead)
- You have a physical or mental health condition or disability that has affected your daily life for at least 3 months and is expected to continue for at least 9 months
- You meet the residence and presence rules and are ordinarily resident in Scotland
You do not need to have worked or paid National Insurance. ADP is non-contributory.
ADP is not means-tested. Your savings, income and partner's income do not affect entitlement. You can have any amount of capital and still claim.
How much is ADP worth in 2026?
ADP has two components: daily living and mobility. Each component pays at either the standard or enhanced rate. You can be awarded one component, both or neither. Below are the official 2026/27 weekly rates from Social Security Scotland:
For the standard rate you need 8 to 11 points in that component. For the enhanced rate you need 12 or more points. Points can come from any combination of activities under the Regulations 2022. See the full rates breakdown.
The 12 ADP activities
ADP is scored across 10 daily living activities and 2 mobility activities. Each activity has descriptors that describe different levels of difficulty, worth 0 to 12 points.
For each activity, the descriptor that best matches your difficulty on most days determines your score. The four reliability criteria, safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period, raise the descriptor your difficulty matches. Reliability is set out at regulation 7 of The Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (SSI 2022/54).
What conditions qualify for ADP?
There is no list of qualifying conditions. ADP is assessed on the impact of your condition on the 12 activities, not the diagnosis. Two people with the same diagnosis can score very differently depending on how it affects them.
Common conditions that ADPexpert covers in detail:
- Mental health: anxiety, depression, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, eating disorders, agoraphobia
- Chronic pain and fatigue: fibromyalgia, chronic pain, ME/CFS, long covid, arthritis, back pain
- Neurodevelopmental: autism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities
- Neurological: multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson's, migraines, stroke recovery, motor neurone disease
- Connective tissue / autonomic: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS, lupus, Raynaud's
- Other: cancer, diabetes, COPD, heart conditions, dementia, sight loss, hearing loss
See our complete list of condition-specific guides.
ADP vs PIP: what is different in Scotland
ADP is the Scottish replacement for PIP. It broadly aligns with PIP, using the same 12 activities, the same descriptors and the same points thresholds, but Social Security Scotland has built a fairer and more supportive process. Here are the main differences:
| Feature | ADP (Scotland) | PIP (England and Wales) |
|---|---|---|
| Delivered by | Social Security Scotland | Department for Work and Pensions |
| The consultation | Only when genuinely needed, not a medical examination | Health assessment common |
| Challenging a decision | Re-determination, then appeal to tribunal | Mandatory Reconsideration, then appeal |
| Awards | Rolling, no fixed end date, most reviewed | Fixed-term awards common |
In Scotland, a consultation only happens when Social Security Scotland genuinely needs more information. It is not a medical examination, and the invitation tells you in advance which parts of your application they want to discuss. If one is arranged it is carried out by a health and social care practitioner. Because most determinations are made on the paperwork, your form is your case.
How to apply for ADP
You can apply online, by phone, by post or in person with support from a local Social Security Scotland client adviser. The process has a few main steps:
- Start your application with Social Security Scotland (online at socialsecurity.gov.scot, by phone or with in-person support).
- Complete your ADP application Part 2, the part where you describe how your conditions affect each of the 12 activities. This is the part that decides your case. Full ADP application Part 2 guide.
- Send any supporting information you already have, such as letters, care plans or medication lists. Social Security Scotland can also gather evidence for you.
- A consultation only if needed, carried out by a health and social care practitioner. Many people are never asked to attend one.
- Wait for your determination letter, which will award standard, enhanced or no rate for each component.
If awarded, ADP is normally paid from the date you started your application. See the ADP back payment guide.
Can I claim ADP while working?
Yes. ADP is not work-tested. You can:
- Work full time, part time or be self-employed
- Earn any amount of money
- Be unemployed and still claim
- Receive other benefits at the same time
ADP is based on how your condition affects your daily life, not on whether you work. Many people who receive ADP work in adapted roles. Full guide to ADP and work.
How ADP awards are reviewed
ADP awards are made on a rolling basis with no fixed end date. Most awards are reviewed, though not all. Light-touch reviews generally happen every 2 to 10 years, and longer where your needs are unlikely to change. Some awards are indefinite, for example the enhanced rate of both components. A review is not a fresh application, and you do not lose your award simply because a review is due.
What if my ADP claim is refused?
If you disagree with a determination you have two stages to challenge it, and Social Security Scotland has clear time limits:
- Re-determination: ask Social Security Scotland to look again within 42 days of your determination letter (late requests are possible up to 1 year with good reason). Social Security Scotland must decide within 56 days. If they miss that deadline you get a direct right of appeal. Full re-determination guide.
- Appeal: if you are still unhappy, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Social Security Chamber) within 31 days of the re-determination outcome. Tribunal guide.
If an existing award is reduced or stopped and you challenge it, you may be able to get Short-term Assistance so you are not left worse off while you wait. It continues through the re-determination and any appeal. It is not available for a refused new claim.
If you have been refused, our free re-determination letter generator and free determination analyser can help you build a strong challenge.
What ADP also unlocks
Being awarded ADP can trigger eligibility for several other forms of support:
- Carer Support Payment in Scotland for someone who looks after you (if ADP daily living is at any rate)
- Universal Credit LCWRA element for those who qualify
- Blue Badge for parking
- Motability Scheme for vehicle lease (enhanced mobility only)
- Council tax reduction or exemption (varies by council)
- Warm Home Discount and other energy support
- Reduced public transport fares in many areas
For details see what ADP unlocks.
Common myths about ADP
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