Adult Disability Payment is replacing Personal Independence Payment in Scotland
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for adults aged 16-64 years old who have a physical or mental disability and need help taking part in everyday life or find it difficult to get around.
It replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged 16 or over. However, if you reached 65 by 8 April 2013, you can keep and renew your DLA award. (DLA is still payable for children up to the age of 16).
PIP isn't based on your national insurance contributions and isn't means tested, which means it doesn't matter how much income or savings you have. PIP is payable if you are in or out of work.
Am I eligible for PIP?
PIP has 2 parts - Daily Living component and Mobility component. For each component there are a list of activities.
To qualify for either component, unless terminally ill, you must:
- Have a physical or mental health condition and require help with Daily Living or Mobility needs as above
- be aged between 16 – 64
The need:
- must have existed for 3 months
- is expected to continue for 9 months
Daily Living component activities
If you need help in taking part in the following everyday life activities you may be eligible for the daily living component.
-
Preparing food - this activity focuses on your ability to prepare and cook a simple meal. Any problems you have must be due to your physical or mental condition, rather than a basic inability to cook.
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Eating and drinking – this looks at your ability to eat and drink.
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Managing your treatments – this activity focuses on your ability to manage your medication or therapy or monitor health condition.
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Washing and bathing – washing means cleaning your whole body. Bathing includes getting into or out of an un-adapted bath or shower.
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Managing your toilet needs – toilet needs are defined as; getting on and off an un-adapted toilet; evacuating your bladder and bowel; cleaning yourself; managing incontinence means managing involuntary evacuation of your bowel or bladder.
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Dressing and undressing – looks at your ability to select, put on and take off un-adapted clothing.
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Communicating – this activity focuses on your ability to convey and understand information verbally.
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Reading – this activity focuses on your ability to read and understand written or printed information in your own language.
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Mixing with other people – this activity considers your ability to engage socially, which means to interact with others in contextually and socially appropriate manner, understand body language and establish relationships.
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Making decisions about money – this activity looks at your ability to spend and manage your money ie calculating the cost of goods and calculating the change after the purchase.
Mobility component
If you need help getting around you may be eligible for the Mobility component of PIP.
-
Going out – this activity assesses your ability to work out and follow a route safely and reliably. Two types of route are considered: familiar and unfamiliar.
-
Moving around – this activity focuses on your physical ability to stand and then move without severe discomfort such as pain, breathlessness or fatigue.
How much PIP will I get?
The amount of PIP that you get depends on how many points you score. The test is scored in the 2 components; daily living and mobility.
You will be awarded the standard rate if you score between 8 and 11 points and the enhanced rate if you score 12 points or more.
| Component (2023/24) |
Standard Rate
(per week) |
Enhanced Rate
(per week) |
| Daily Living |
£68.10 |
£101.75 |
| Mobility |
£26.90 |
£71.00 |
How to apply
To apply, you will need to call:
Before you call, you'll need:
- your contact details, for example telephone number
- your date of birth
- your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
- your bank or building society account number and sort code
- your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
- dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital