Around 80,000 Scots on PIP will transfer from the DWP to Adult Disability Payment over the next few months.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – information
The latest statistics from Social Security Scotland show that at the end of October, some 374,655 people were receiving Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the devolved benefit that has now replaced all new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) north of the border.
Of that total figure, some 130,450 (35%) were new claimants and 244,205 (63%) were existing PIP case transfers from the Department for Work Pensions (DWP).
There are also 80,272 Scots still receiving PIP from the DWP, but scheduled to transfer to ADP this Spring. That will bring the total number of people in claim for the devolved benefit to 454,927 and looks set to reach half a million in 2025.
READ MORE: People on PIP may be able to increase monthly payments by up to £622READ MORE: Full list of PIP changes people must report to DWP or monthly payments could stop
People due to move should have received notification of the move by now – letters are sent around three months before the date of the transfer. Social Security Scotland recently confirmed that all remaining claimants have been issued a letter.
After the move from the DWP to Social Security Scotland is complete, claimants will receive another letter informing them that the transfer was successful with details of their new ADP award such as level of award for both components, weekly rates and when the first payment will be made.
It’s important to be aware there are no breaks in payment, DWP stops administering the benefit and SSS takes over.
However, the letter also explains that the level of award for ADP is based on information from DWP on your most recent PIP award and any other information they have received during the transfer process.
The letter from Social Security Scotland explains: “We have made your Adult Disability Payment award based on information we got from DWP about your most recent PIP award.
“If you believe that information was incorrect, incomplete or not up to date and we used this information to make your award, you could be committing an offence under section 71 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.”
It goes on to say that the level of award you will be paid for ADP is based on your current needs, which also determines the length of your review period.
The letter states: “If anything changes then your award might need to be adjusted up or down. You might be entitled to a higher award, or you might be getting award payments that are too high.”
If the amount of ADP you have been awarded is less than your previous award on PIP, you can ask Social Security Scotland to look at your award again – this is known as a redetermination.
The letter explains: “A redetermination is when a new team at Social Security Scotland takes a fresh look at your award, along with any new information you want to give us.”
If you want your award to be looked at again you must request it within 42 days (6 weeks) of receiving the letter – this includes weekends and bank holidays.
Social Security Scotland then has 56 days (8 weeks), including weekends and bank holidays, to take a fresh look at your award and make a new decision. They will contact you during this time to discuss your request and then send a letter to let you know their decision.
The new decision may lead to your award increasing, reducing or staying the same.
It’s important to be aware that you cannot withdraw your redetermination request once you have made it. Social Security Scotland explains: “This is because we are legally required to complete the redetermination process and arrive at a new decision.”
If you want to see the information Social Security Scotland used to make the award decision, call them on 0800 182 2222 or use the online webchat service.
