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Who can get adult disability payment

You can get adult disability payment if you,

Rules about age

To get adult disability payment, you must be at least 16. 

You must also be under pension age (66) when you first claim adult disability payment, although you can continue to be entitled after you reach pension age if you have already been awarded it before reaching pension age.

Who can get the daily living component

Adult disability payment uses a points-based system to decide whether you qualify for the daily living component, and if so, at what rate. You receive points depending on the level of difficulty you experience with the following activities:

  • preparing food
  • eating and drinking
  • managing treatment
  • washing and bathing
  • managing toilet needs
  • dressing and undressing
  • communicating verbally
  • reading
  • mixing with other people
  • making budgeting decisions

Unless you are terminally ill you must have satisfied the disability conditions for the daily living component for at least 13 weeks, and expect to have them for at least a further 39 weeks. Read more about the assessment in CPAG in Scotland's factsheet adult disability payment assessment.

Who can get the mobility component

Adult disability payment uses a points-based system to decide whether you qualify for the mobility component, and if so, at what rate. You receive points depending on the level of difficulty you experience with the following activities:

  • planning and following journeys
  • moving around

Unless you are terminally ill you must have satisfied the disability conditions for the mobility component for at least 13 weeks, and expect to have them for at least a further 39 weeks. Read more about the assessment in CPAG in Scotland's factsheet adult disability payment assessment.

Residence conditions

As well as normally living in Scotland, to get adult disability payment you must usually have lived in the ‘common travel area’ (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man) for 26 weeks out of the last 52. This rule does not apply at all if you are terminally ill or if you are a refugee.

Terminal illness and adult disability payment

If you are terminally ill, you are entitled to the enhanced rate of both components of adult disability payment. 

You are ‘terminally ill’ if you have a progressive disease that can reasonably be expected to cause your death. This must be confirmed by a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse involved in your care. The doctor or nurse should complete a Benefits Assistance under Special Rules in Scotland (BASRiS) form.

Adult disability payment can be backdated to when you were judged to be terminally ill by a registered medical practitioner or nurse providing you claim within 26 weeks of this date. If you claim later than this, adult disability payment can be backdated for 26 weeks.

How much is adult disability payment

The daily living component of adult disability payment is paid at one of two rates:

  • standard rate: £72.65 a week
  • enhanced rate: £108.55 a week

The mobility component is paid at one of two rates:

  • standard rate: £28.70 a week
  • enhanced rate £75.75 a week

You can get both the daily living component and the mobility component if you are entitled, or you may get only the daily living component or only the mobility component.

How to claim

You should claim as soon as you can if you think you may be entitled to adult disability payment as it cannot be backdated, unless you are terminally ill.

To claim you can:

  • phone Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222
  • claim online at mygov.scot
  • request a paper claim form from Social Security Scotland

If you disagree with the decision made by Social Security Scotland about adult disability payment, you can challenge this decision.

More information

Find out more about the adult disability payment assessment in CPAG in Scotland's factsheet adult disability payment assessment.

For in-depth information about adult disability payment, see chapter 73 of the Welfare benefits and tax credits handbook. You'll need a subscription to be able to log in and read the content.

Read the adult disability payment regulations on legislation.gov.uk.