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Adult Disability Payment

Who can apply for Adult Disability Payment

Last updated
6 Dec 2022

You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you have either a:

  • disability or long-term physical or mental health condition
  • terminal illness

You can still apply if you're waiting for a diagnosis.

You need to be between 16 and State Pension age.

You cannot get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Adult Disability Payment at the same time.

You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment if you already get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Social Security Scotland will move your benefit to Adult Disability Payment without you having to do anything. Find out more about how your benefit is moving to Social Security Scotland.

Check if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment

You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.

You can check if you meet the other requirements to qualify for Adult Disability Payment before you start an application.

We’ll ask you questions about:

  • where you live
  • any restrictions on your right to live in the UK
  • if you're on other benefits
  • your age

We'll not ask about your disability or health condition just now.

Check if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment

If you do not qualify for Adult Disability Payment, then we’ll tell you what other benefits you may be able to get.

If you do not live in Scotland

You can still apply for Adult Disability Payment if you both:

  • live in the EEA, Switzerland or Gibraltar
  • have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland

A genuine and sufficient link is where you do not live in Scotland, but have a link to Scotland. For example, you have spent a significant part of your life in Scotland.

Social Security Scotland will also need to make sure that the UK is the correct state to pay the daily living component of your Adult Disability Payment.

Find out more about applying if you're living in an EEA country, Switzerland or Gibraltar.

If you get Child Disability Payment

If you get Child Disability Payment, when you’re about to turn 16 you can decide if you want to apply for Adult Disability Payment. You can apply for Adult Disability Payment at any time up until your 18th birthday. If you’re eligible, this will ensure you do not have a break in payments.

Moving from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment does not happen automatically. You need to apply for Adult Disability Payment even if you already get Child Disability Payment.

If you’re terminally ill, you do not need to complete an application form if you want to move to Adult Disability Payment. You should contact Social Security Scotland for advice.

Find out more about moving from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment.

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