You appear to be using an unsupported browser, and it may not be able to display this site properly. You may wish to upgrade your browser.

We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Back to 'Who can apply for Adult Disability Payment'

Do you live in Scotland?

Where do you live?

Are you a British citizen?

Does your passport or residence permit say that you have no recourse to public funds?

What does this mean?

If you're not a British citizen, your right to live in the UK may include the condition that you have “no recourse to public funds”. This means that you're not entitled to some types of government support, including some benefits.

If this applies to you, it will state "no recourse to public funds" ​​with your immigration status on either:

  • your residence permit
  • your biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • the entry clearance stamp or sticker in your passport

Do you get one of these benefits?

This is for yourself, not for anyone else you're responsible for, such as a child or young person.

How old are you?

Will you be 16 in the next 13 weeks?

Have you reached State Pension age?

You can check your State Pension age if you're not sure. 

You cannot apply for Adult Disability Payment

You're not eligible for Adult Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland. 

You may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you live in: 

  • England, Wales or Northern Ireland 
  • Ireland 
  • the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey)
  • the Isle of Man

There are also special arrangements for serving members of the Armed Forces and civil servants working abroad. 

Find out more about Personal Independence Payment. 

 

You do not need to apply to Social Security Scotland

You’ll continue to get your Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

When your award is moved, you’ll get your payments from Social Security Scotland instead. 

This will be an automatic process. You do not need to apply for Child Disability Payment. 

Social Security Scotland will:

  • contact you before the move happens
  • pay you the same rate into the same account
  • not reassess your award  

Until you're told that the move is complete, you should continue to follow instructions given by the DWP to maintain your DLA for children award. 

Find out more about how your benefit is moving to Social Security Scotland.

You can apply for Adult Disability Payment

You may be eligible for Adult Disability Payment. 

During the application process, Social Security Scotland will ask about your:

  • conditions or symptoms
  • care and mobility needs

Check how to apply for Adult Disability Payment

You cannot apply for Adult Disability Payment

You're not eligible for Adult Disability Payment if you cannot receive help from public funds while you are living in the UK. 

Visit gov.uk to find out which benefits you may be eligible for.

You can choose to apply for Adult Disability Payment if you're between 16 and 18 years old

If you're between 16 and 18 years old, you can choose whether you: 

  • stay on Child Disability Payment until you turn 18 
  • move to Adult Disability Payment before you're 18

You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if:

  • you're 16 or over
  • your 16th birthday is less than 13 weeks away

If you're under 16 when you apply for Adult Disability Payment and your application is successful, you'll start to get payments once you are 16. 

If you're between 16 and 18 and need advice about when you should apply for Adult Disability Payment, contact Social Security Scotland. You can also get advice from Citizens Advice Scotland. 

Check how to apply for Adult Disability Payment
 

You may not be able to get Adult Disability Payment

You cannot get Armed Forces Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment at the same time.

To discuss your circumstances in more detail we recommend you contact:

You can apply for Child Disability Payment

You may be eligible for Child Disability Payment. 

During the application process, Social Security Scotland will ask about your:

  • conditions or symptoms
  • care and mobility needs

Check how to apply for Child Disability Payment

You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment

Your award will be automatically moved from Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults to to Social Security Scotland. You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment.

Until the move happens, you’ll continue to get PIP or DLA from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Social Security Scotland will:

  • contact you before the move happens
  • pay you the same rate into the same account 
  • not reassess your award

Find out more about how your benefit is moving to Social Security Scotland.

You can apply for Adult Disability Payment

If your 16th birthday is less than 13 weeks away then you can apply for Adult Disability Payment. If your application is successful, you'll start to get payments once you are 16. 

Check how to apply for Adult Disability Payment

You may not be able to get Adult Disability Payment

You're not eligible for Adult Disability Payment because you've reached State Pension age.

You may still be able to apply if you got Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in the 12 months before you reached State Pension age. You should contact Social Security Scotland to discuss your circumstances in more detail.

Find out about other benefits you can apply for. 
 

You're not eligible for Adult Disability Payment

You cannot get Adult Disability Payment if: 

  • you already get Attendance Allowance
  • you’re over State Pension age

Find out about other benefits you can apply for.
 

Back to top