People with stress, anxiety or depression could be due up to £737 each month through PIP or ADP

The latest data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that by the end of January, there were more than 1.3 million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for a Psychiatric Disorder, including nearly 84,000 living in Scotland. This is the main disabling descriptor used by the DWP and it covers anxiety and mood disorders, stress reactions and depressive disorders, along with a wide range of other conditions that may affect someone's mental wellbeing.

However, that figure does not include new or existing claimants living in Scotland in receipt of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - the devolved disability payment has now replaced all new claims for PIP made north of the border. The number of people claiming PIP for a Psychiatric Disorder has increased by more than 462,000 between February 2020 - before the first Covid-19 lockdown and January 2024.

Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans for a n ew consultation on PIP that will look at changes to the eligibility criteria, assessment process and types of support that can be offered through the disability benefit.

He said that PIP spending is forecast to rise by more than 50 per cent over the next four years if no changes are made. Nearly 3.5 million people across Great Britain are currently in receipt of PIP - including nearly 219,000 claimants living in Scotland - with 37 per cent of that overall figure claiming for psychiatric disorders - which includes mental health conditions.

PIP provides additional financial support for adults with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition who need help completing daily tasks or moving around.

Following the annual uprating earlier this month, a successful claim for PIP or ADP is now worth between £28.70 and £184.30 each week and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £114.80 and £737.20 every payment period.

If you need additional support to cover the costs of daily living or mobility needs due to a mental health condition, it may be worthwhile considering making a new claim for PIP or ADP.

Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Full guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website here.

Who might be eligible for PIP or ADP?

To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:

• have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

• expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.

In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.

• preparing, cooking or eating food

• managing your medication

• washing, bathing or using the toilet

• dressing and undressing

• engaging and communicating with other people

• reading and understanding written information

• making decisions about money

• planning a journey or following a route

• moving around

There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.

DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:

• whether you can do it safely

• how long it takes you

• how often your condition affects this activity

• whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment

How are PIP and ADP paid?

PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.

What are the PIP and ADP payment rates?

You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.

PIP is made up of two components:

• Daily living

• Mobility

Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:

Daily living

• Standard rate: £72.65

• Enhanced rate: £108.55

Mobility

• Standard rate: £28.70

• Enhanced rate: £75.75

How you are assessed

You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.

Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.

Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.

How do you make a claim for PIP?

You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.

Before you call, you will need:

• your contact details

• your date of birth

• your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

• your bank or building society account number and sort code

• your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

• dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital

How to apply for ADP

People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

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