Understanding the drivers of changes in demand for disability benefits in Scotland since 2010: A quick scoping review

9. Annex 2: Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment

9.1 Adult Disability Payment (ADP)

What is the benefit designed to do? ADP provides support for people who have a disability or a long-term health condition that affects their everyday life.

How much is it? There are two components with different rates depending on how the person’s condition affects their ability to do everyday activities or get around.

• The daily living component has a standard weekly award (£73.90) and an enhanced weekly award (£110.40).
• The mobility component has a standard weekly award (£29.20) and an enhanced weekly award (£77.05).

Who is the benefit paid to? It is paid into the bank account stipulated on the application form. Disabled people can apply themselves, or someone can apply on their behalf (e.g. a family member, friend, carer, support worker or appointee).

Who is eligible for it? People who are between 16 and State Pension age, and who have a long-term physical or mental health condition, or terminal illness. Claimants must live in Scotland or live in the EEA, Switzerland or Gibraltar and have a genuine link to Scotland. When making a decision on a claim, Social Security Scotland has access detailed decision making guidance, experienced medical practitioners, and specialist advisers with extensive knowledge and experience of working in health and social care.

When was it introduced? Introduction of the benefit was phased:

• ADP piloted for new applicants in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles in March 2022. It was rolled out to new applicants across Scotland in August 2022.
• People in Scotland who were already claiming the UK Government’s PIP or Working Age Disability Living Allowance have had their cases transferred to ADP. The case transfer process began in August 2022 and was completed in 2025. Cases were selected for transfer automatically, either triggered by an event (because of an upcoming review, end of award date or because they reported a change to DWP) or because of a review date that was further in the future.

Take-up rates? N/A - Estimates of take-up are not yet available for the benefit.

Is the benefit available in the rest of the UK? ADP replaces the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment and Working Age Disability Living Allowance, which are still available to disabled people in the rest of the UK.

Uprating? The benefit is legally required to be uprated each year by inflation and as such will be uprated in 2024-25 The cost of uprating is included within the latest SFC forecasts and the funding envelope.

Total expenditure? The total value of payments in 2024-25 was £2,380,601,900. This includes new applicants and case transfers.

Forecast costs from SFC? The forecast spend for the benefit is £3,590 million in 2024-25. This includes PIP expenditure administered by DWP.

Forecast caseload from SFC? The forecast average caseload for the benefit is 529,000 in 2025-26. This includes people receiving PIP from DWP.

9.2 Child Disability Payment (CDP)

What is the benefit designed to do? CDP provides support for the extra costs that a disabled child might have. A child’s disability can be either physical or mental and CDP can be claimed even if the child does not have an official diagnosis.

How much is it? There are two components with different rates depending on the severity of the child’s disability.

• The care component has a lowest (£29.20), middle (£73.90), and highest (£110.40) weekly rate.
• The mobility component has a lower (£29.20) and higher (£77.05) weekly rate.

Who is the benefit paid to? It is paid into the bank account stipulated on the application form. Any adult with parental responsibilities and rights or a guardian can apply for CDP. In some cases an appointee can apply if the child does not live with a parent or guardian. If the child is terminally ill anyone can apply for the child as long as the person applying has the informed consent from the parent, guardian or appointee.

Who is eligible for it? Disabled children aged under 16 who either (a) live in Scotland or (b) live in the EEA, Switzerland or Gibraltar and have a genuine link to Scotland. When making a decision on a claim, Social Security Scotland has access detailed decision making guidance, experienced medical practitioners, and specialist advisers with extensive knowledge and experience of working in health and social care.

When was it introduced? Introduction of the benefit was phased:

• CDP was piloted for new applicants in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles in July 2021. It was rolled out to new applicants across Scotland in November 2021.
• Children in Scotland who were already claiming the UK Government’s DLA for Children have had their cases automatically transferred to CDP. The case transfer process began in October 2021 for children aged over 15 and a half, and Spring 2022 for children under 15 and a half. As of June 2023, 99% of cases had been transferred to CDP.

Take-up rates? N/A - Estimates of take-up are not yet available for the benefit.

Is the benefit available in the rest of the UK? CDP replaces the UK Government’s DLA for children, which is still available to disabled children in the rest of the UK.

Uprating? The benefit is legally required to be uprated each year by inflation and as such will be uprated in 2024-25. The cost of uprating is included within the latest SFC forecasts and the funding envelope.

Total expenditure? The total value of payments in 2024-25 was £504,737,850. This includes new applicants and case transfers.

Forecast costs from SFC? The forecast spend for the benefit is £581 million in 2025-26. This includes Child DLA expenditure administered by DWP.

Forecast caseload from SFC? The forecast average caseload for the benefit is 104,000 in 2024-25. This includes people receiving Child DLA from DWP.