Rules for new adult disability payment out for views

Rules covering the new Scottish benefit for disabled adults have been published in draft for public views. 

The adult disability payment will be delivered by Social Security Scotland, replacing the personal independence payment administered by the Department for Work & Pensions. It will be available to disabled individuals between the ages of 16 and state pension age to mitigate the additional costs of living with a disability or health condition.

Key differences include awards of the new benefit being made on a rolling basis, with no set end date; the introduction of short term assistance to ensure that clients can continue to receive their previous payment until the conclusion of the determination and appeal process; and a new more flexible definition of terminal illness.

Operational measures will also differ, with people having a range of application channels, a local delivery service, and consultations carried out by “suitably qualified” people rather than the functional examinations carried out for the DWP.

The draft rules, which are not yet complete, also provide for a pilot scheme to run ahead of full rollout. 

The consultation is aimed at gathering views on the policy and draft regulations and identifying any gaps, issues or unintended consequences, while also asking questions on some specific points about the effects of the regulations and their potential impacts on different groups and also on businesses.

Writing in the foreword, Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says: “I recognise the considerable interest in talking about our approach in detail, and that disabled people need to have confidence in a system that works for them, not against them.”

Click here to access the consultation. Views are invited by 15 March 2021.