What Adult Disability Payment Is and Who Can explore
Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is a monthly cash benefit paid by Social Security Scotland to working-age adults with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. It replaces the older Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults. You do not need to be out of work to receive it — the payment is based on how your condition affects your daily life and mobility, not on your employment status.
To explore, you must be aged 16 or over, live in Scotland, and have a health condition or disability that is expected to last at least 12 months. The process process takes place entirely through Social Security Scotland, a Scottish government agency separate from the UK Department for Work and Pensions.
ADP has two components: a daily living part (for help with personal care and supervision) and a mobility part (for help getting around). You may receive one, both, or neither, depending on how your condition affects you. The amount you receive each month depends on which component you are awarded and at what rate.
Key Takeaways
- You explore to Social Security Scotland, not to a UK-wide benefits office, and the entire process is handled online, by post, or by phone.
- You will need to describe in detail how your condition affects your daily activities, mobility, and need for supervision or help — vague descriptions will delay your process.
- Medical evidence from your GP, hospital, or specialist is not automatically gathered by Social Security Scotland; you must provide it yourself or give permission for them to request it.
- The decision process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from the date your process is received, though complex cases may take longer.
- If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a redetermination (a free review) within one month, and later appeal to an independent tribunal.
How to Start Your process
You can explore online through the Social Security Scotland website, by phone, or by post. The online route is usually fastest because you receive when ready confirmation and can track progress through your account. To explore online, you will need to create a Social Security Scotland account using your National Insurance number, date of birth, and contact details.
If you prefer to explore by phone, call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 (free from any phone). They will take your details over the phone and post you a paper form to complete and return. If you explore by post, you can request a paper form by calling the same number or writing to Social Security Scotland, Freepost RRLL-GHUX-3QJ, Glasgow, G58 1SB.
Before you start, gather your National Insurance number, passport or birth certificate, and a list of any medications you take. You do not need medical evidence at the point of process, but having the names and contact details of your GP and any specialists who treat you will speed things up later.
What Information You Must Provide in Your process
The process form asks you to describe how your condition affects you across several areas of daily life: getting washed and dressed, preparing and eating food, managing your medication, going to the toilet, moving around indoors, going outside, communicating, and managing money or paperwork. For each area, you must explain what you can and cannot do, how often you need help, and whether you need supervision to stay safe.
Be specific and honest. Do not say "I struggle with cooking" — instead, say "I cannot stand for more than five minutes without severe pain, so I cannot use the cooker safely. My partner prepares all hot meals. I can make cold food like sandwiches if someone has already prepared the ingredients and placed them at waist height." The more detail you give, the clearer the picture Social Security Scotland has of your actual needs.
You will also be asked about your mobility: whether you can walk, how far you can walk before pain or fatigue stops you, whether you need a walking aid, and whether you need someone with you when you go out. Again, give specific distances and times — "I can walk about 50 metres before my breathing becomes too difficult" is far more useful than "I cannot walk far."
The form also asks whether your condition is stable, improving, or getting worse, and whether you have had any hospital admissions or operations in the past 12 months. Answer truthfully; Social Security Scotland will check these details against medical records.
Providing Medical Evidence
Social Security Scotland does not automatically collect medical evidence from your doctor or hospital. You have two options: you can provide evidence yourself, or you can give them written permission to request it from your healthcare providers.
If you choose to provide evidence yourself, gather letters from your GP, hospital discharge summaries, specialist reports, or prescriptions that show your diagnosis, treatment, and how your condition affects you. Scan or photograph these and upload them with your online process, or include them with a paper process. Do not send originals — keep those for your records.
If you give Social Security Scotland permission to request evidence on your behalf, they will write to your GP and any specialists you name. This usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. Your GP may charge a fee (typically £15 to £50) for providing a detailed report, though they must provide basic information free of charge. Ask your GP in advance whether they will charge and what they need from you to prepare the report.
What Happens After You Submit Your process
Once Social Security Scotland receives your process, they will send you a letter confirming receipt and giving you a reference number. Keep this number — you will need it if you contact them about your case. They will also tell you whether they need any additional information from you.
If they need more information, they will write to you with a important date (usually 14 days) to provide it. If you miss the important date, your process may be rejected, so respond promptly. Common requests include clarification on how your condition affects a specific activity, or permission to contact your healthcare provider.
The decision process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from the date your process is received. During this time, a decision maker will review your form, any medical evidence, and may contact your GP or specialist for more information. You will not usually be invited for a face-to-face assessment, though in some cases Social Security Scotland may arrange a telephone call with a healthcare professional to discuss your condition in more detail.
You will receive a decision letter in the post. This letter will tell you whether you have been awarded ADP, at what rate, and for how long. It will also explain how much you will receive each month and when payments will start. If you are awarded the benefit, payments usually begin within 4 weeks of the decision letter.
If You Disagree With the Decision
If Social Security Scotland turns down your process or awards you less than you believe you should receive, you can ask for a redetermination — a free review of the decision by a different decision maker. You must request this within one month of receiving the decision letter. Write to Social Security Scotland with your reference number and explain why you think the decision is wrong. Include any new information or evidence that was not in your original process.
A redetermination usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. If the redetermination upholds the original decision and you still disagree, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. This is a formal hearing where you can present your case to a panel of judges. You do not have to pay for a tribunal appeal, and you can ask a friend, family member, or representative to support you. Tribunal decisions are binding on Social Security Scotland.
Timelines and What to Expect
| Stage | Typical Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| process submitted | Same day (online) or 2–3 days (post) | You receive a reference number and confirmation letter |
| Requests for more information | Within 2 weeks of submission | Social Security Scotland asks for clarification or evidence; you have 14 days to respond |
| Medical evidence gathering | 4–6 weeks (if they request it from your GP) | Your healthcare provider sends reports to Social Security Scotland |
| Decision made | 8–12 weeks from submission | You receive a decision letter with the outcome and payment amount |
| First payment | Within 4 weeks of decision | Money is paid into your bank account |
| Redetermination request | Must be within 1 month of decision letter | A different decision maker reviews your case |
| Redetermination decision | 8–12 weeks after request | You receive a new decision letter |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be out of work to receive Adult Disability Payment?
No. ADP is based on how your condition affects your daily life and mobility, not on whether you work. You can be in full-time or part-time employment and still receive it. However, if you earn above a certain threshold, it may affect other benefits you receive, so check with Social Security Scotland if you are in work.
What if my GP will not provide a medical report?
Your GP must provide basic information about your diagnosis and treatment free of charge. If they refuse to provide any information, contact Social Security Scotland and explain the situation. You can also provide other evidence — hospital letters, specialist reports, or prescriptions — instead. If you have no medical evidence at all, Social Security Scotland will make a decision based on what you tell them, though this may delay the process.
Can I explore if my condition is improving?
Yes. ADP is awarded based on your current needs, not on whether your condition is stable or improving. If your condition is improving, explain this in your process and describe what you can do now. Social Security Scotland will review your case periodically to check whether your needs have changed.
What if I miss the important date to provide information?
If you miss the important date Social Security Scotland gives you, your process may be rejected. However, you can ask them to reconsider if you have a good reason for the delay — for example, if you were ill or did not receive the letter. Contact them as soon as you realise you have missed the important date and explain what happened.
How much will I receive each month?
The amount depends on which component you are awarded (daily living or mobility) and at what rate (standard or enhanced). Rates change each April. Check the Social Security Scotland website for current payment rates, or call them on 0800 182 2222 to ask what you might receive based on your circumstances.