People on PIP need to check these key details are correct with DWP before moving to ADP

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that there are currently 172,954 people living in Scotland receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP). All of these claimants will move automatically in stages to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) before the end of 2025.

The devolved payment is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland and its latest figures indicate that of the 254,365 people now claiming ADP, 154,100 were existing PIP case transfers from the DWP. Existing PIP claimants do not need to claim ADP and will receive a letter well in advance of the planned move which will confirm the date when Social Security Scotland will take over providing payments.

The letter also gives information on what claimants should do before the move, during the move and what happens after the process is completed. More importantly, it also tells you what to do if you are getting any other benefits.

Moving from PIP to Adult Disability Payment

• DWP will continue to manage your benefit until the move is complete

• DWP will continue to pay you the same rate of PIP

• DWP will not review your PIP

• Social Security Scotland will review your ADP award after the move

During the move

This is by far the most important section on the checklist, so make sure if there are any changes in phone number or bank account, that you tell DWP as soon as possible. Any information you give DWP will be transferred to Social Security Scotland.

• You will still need to tell DWP if there are any new changes to your health, disability, needs

• Tell DWP if your personal details change, such as your address, bank account and home or mobile number - Social Security Scotland may need to call you, so make sure the DWP has the right contact details.

When the move is complete:

• Social Security Scotland will write to you to tell you that your award has moved to ADP

• Social Security Scotland will tell you how much money you will be paid

If you are getting other benefits

The letter from Social Security Scotland states: “The move to Adult Disability Payment will not affect your entitlement to related benefits and services from other organisations like HMRC, DVLA or your local council.

“However, if you get any other benefits, you need to tell each provider about the move to make sure you stay in payment.”

This guidance is echoed on mygov.scot here.

The three-month window between notification of a case transfer should be enough time to report the change to the relevant department to ensure a smooth transition with no breaks in payments. Below is an overview of who you need to contact, full details are on mygov.scot, here.

It’s also worth noting that after you receive the letter from Social Security Scotland a similar one will arrive from the DWP confirming the planned move.

When to contact your local council

You need to contact your local council to tell them about the move if you get:

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Reduction

• Council Tax Exemption

When to contact DWP

The guidance also states that you also need to contact the DWP to tell them about the move if you get:

• Universal Credit

• Income Support

• Pension Credit

• Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

It states: “You can do this by reporting a change of circumstances on each benefit that you get.”

When to contact HMRC

You only need to contact HMRC if your disability payment rate has changed during the move and you get either:

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

Carer’s Allowance

If you get Child Disability Payment, and your carer gets Carer’s Allowance, you do not need to contact anyone. The DWP will share this information with the Carer's Allowance Unit.

If you get Adult Disability Payment, and your carer gets Carer’s Allowance, you need to contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit. You should let them know that your disability payment has moved to Social Security Scotland as this information will not be shared automatically.

You can contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit via GOV.UK, here.