10th September 2025 • My Family Our Needs

In Scotland, almost 350,000 disabled people have had their disability benefit transferred from Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to Social Security Scotland. This means that everyone in Scotland who was receiving PIP is now getting Adult Disability Payment instead.

It has been three years since Adult Disability Payment was first available across Scotland and the complete transfer represents the delivery of an entirely new approach to disability assistance based on dignity, fairness and respect.

Social Security Scotland uses information from professionals who know the disabled person when making their decisions, such as the individual’s GP or support worker. This is unlike the rest of the UK where the benefits agency outsources assessments to private firms.

The Adult Disability Payment is financial support available to disabled people to help with the additional costs that come with being disabled. Fast track is available for people who are terminally ill.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said, ‘The transfer to Adult Disability Payment from PIP was a monumental challenge that we’ve delivered for people across Scotland.

‘Nearly 350,000 individuals had their data safely and securely moved from the DWP’s systems to ours without having to make a new application for assistance. We also ensured there was no break in their payments. […]

‘While the UK Government has caused so much anxiety for disabled people in recent months, that is not an approach the Scottish Government will take. We will ensure disabled people will get the support they are entitled to and be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.’

Colum Porter, Chief Executive Officer of learning disability charity Garvald Edinburgh, said, ‘It is good news that all adults in Scotland have now moved to Adult Disability Payment and will be supported by a benefits system built on dignity, fairness and respect.

‘Many people do not understand how expensive it is to be disabled. Disabled adults and their carers can face many additional costs, and it is vital they get the financial support they need.

‘Applying for benefits can be daunting and many people have had difficult experiences applying for PIP’

For more information about Adult Disability Payment, visit www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment. For residents in the rest of the UK, visit https://www.gov.uk/pip for information about Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

In other news, Comfa, a Derby-based startup designing sensory-friendly clothing for neurodivergent children, appeared on Dragons’ Den in July. Watch it on BBC One and iPlayer.