Adult Disability Payment (ADP)

What it is, who can apply, and how ADHD and autism relate to the criteria — in Scotland

What is ADP?

Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is Scotland's disability benefit for people whose health condition or disability affects their everyday life or ability to get around. It is administered by Social Security Scotland — not the DWP, which handles equivalent benefits in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

ADP replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for Scottish residents. New claims go through ADP, and existing PIP claimants in Scotland have been or are being migrated across automatically — you do not need to apply separately if you are already on PIP.

ADP is not means-tested. Your income and savings are not taken into account. You can claim whether you are working, studying, or receiving other benefits.

Source: Adult Disability Payment — mygov.scot

Who can apply?

You can apply for ADP if you:

  • Are aged 16 to State Pension age
  • Live in Scotland
  • Have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or terminal illness

You can apply while you are waiting for a diagnosis — you do not need a formal diagnosis in hand before you apply, though a diagnosis will strengthen your application.

You cannot apply if you are currently receiving PIP or DLA from the DWP — but if you are in Scotland and on PIP, you will be moved to ADP automatically in due course.

Social Security Scotland has a suitability checker to confirm whether you can apply: mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment/applicants

The two components and current rates

ADP has two components. You can receive one or both.

Daily Living component — for people whose condition affects their ability to carry out everyday activities.

  • Standard rate: £76.70 per week
  • Enhanced rate: £114.60 per week

Mobility component — for people whose condition affects their ability to plan or follow a journey, or to move around.

  • Standard rate: £30.30 per week
  • Enhanced rate: £80.00 per week

Rates are reviewed each April. Current rates are always at: mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment

How the assessment works — the 12 activities

ADP uses a points-based system across 12 activities to determine eligibility and which rate you receive. Social Security Scotland assesses how your condition affects each activity and awards points based on the level of difficulty. The points across all activities are totalled to determine your award.

The 12 daily living activities include: preparing food, eating and drinking, managing therapy or monitoring a health condition, washing and bathing, managing toilet needs, dressing and undressing, communicating verbally, reading and understanding written information, engaging with other people, and making financial decisions.

Mobility activities assess your ability to plan and follow a journey and to move around.

Having a diagnosis does not automatically mean you will be awarded ADP. The assessment focuses on how your condition affects your ability to carry out each activity — not the diagnosis itself. Many people with ADHD or autism do qualify, but it depends entirely on the impact of your condition on your daily life. Be prepared for the possibility that an application may not succeed first time.

Can ADHD or autism qualify?

Yes — but it depends on your specific situation and how your condition affects you.

How ADHD can affect the daily living activities

ADHD-related difficulties that are commonly relevant to ADP include:

Preparing food — difficulty planning meals, forgetting to eat, struggling to organise multiple steps of cooking, or being unable to safely manage cooking due to distractibility or impulsivity.

Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition — difficulty remembering to take medication consistently, managing prescriptions, or attending medical appointments reliably.

Making financial decisions — impulsivity around spending, difficulty managing bills, budgeting, or organising finances over time.

Engaging with other people — difficulties with social communication, rejection sensitivity, or sustaining relationships.

Managing daily tasks — executive dysfunction affecting the ability to initiate, plan, or complete everyday tasks that others manage without support.

Planning and following a journey — time blindness, difficulty arriving on time, getting overwhelmed in unfamiliar or busy environments.

How autism can affect the daily living activities

Preparing food — sensory sensitivities limiting what food can be tolerated; difficulty with unstructured or multi-step tasks.

Washing, bathing, and dressing — sensory sensitivities around textures, clothing, and water; reliance on rigid routine; significant distress when routines are disrupted.

Communicating verbally — differences in verbal communication; difficulty processing spoken information under pressure; selective mutism in some people.

Engaging with other people — social communication differences, difficulty reading social situations, significant anxiety around social interaction, limited capacity for social contact.

Planning and following a journey — heavy reliance on fixed routines; extreme difficulty with unfamiliar routes or environments; sensory overload in busy public spaces; inability to manage unexpected changes mid-journey.

What counts as evidence

You do not need to submit evidence in a specific format. What matters is giving Social Security Scotland a clear picture of how your condition affects you on a typical day. Useful evidence includes:

  • Your diagnostic report — the more detail it contains about how your condition affects your daily functioning, the more useful it is. A brief report that simply confirms a diagnosis is less helpful than one describing the real-world impact.
  • A letter from your GP — confirming your diagnosis, any associated difficulties, and medication or related conditions.
  • Letters from other professionals — psychiatrists, psychologists, specialist nurses, occupational therapists, or any other clinician involved in your care.
  • A personal statement from you — describing in your own words how your condition affects your daily life. This is often the most important piece of evidence. Describe a typical day and a difficult day honestly.
  • A supporting statement from someone who knows you — a partner, family member, or carer who can describe how your condition affects you day to day.

How to apply

You can apply online, by phone, or on paper.

Online: Start your application at mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment/how-to-apply. The application is in two parts — Part 1 must be submitted within 14 days of starting, and Part 2 within 56 days. You can save as you go. Extensions are available if you need more time.

By phone: Call 0800 182 2222, Monday to Friday 8am–5pm. The call is free. You can complete Part 1 verbally and will be sent a paper form for Part 2.

BSL users: Video call support is available through Contact Scotland BSL.

Other languages: Applications are available in over 100 languages with interpreter support.

Tips for describing your needs honestly

The most common mistake is describing how you manage on a good day rather than how things are on a typical or difficult day. ADHD and autism often involve significant variability — you may be able to do something one day and be completely unable to do it another.

ADP recognises fluctuating conditions. If your ability varies, describe the full range.

For each activity, think about:

  • Can you do it safely — without risk to yourself or others?
  • Can you do it reliably — consistently, not just occasionally?
  • Can you do it in a reasonable time — or does it take significantly longer than it would for most people?
  • Do you need help, aids, or significant preparation to do it?

If any of the above apply, that is relevant to include. You do not need to be entirely unable to do something to qualify — needing much longer, needing support, or only managing sometimes all count under the points system.

What happens after you apply

Social Security Scotland will review your application and may arrange a consultation — usually by phone or video call — to gather more information. You can have someone with you for support.

You will receive a formal letter called a notice of determination explaining the decision, which rate (if any) you have been awarded, and the points scored for each of the 12 activities. The letter must also include information about how to challenge the decision if you disagree.

Terminal illness cases are prioritised and Social Security Scotland aims to decide in around 7 working days.

If your application is refused or lower than expected

Many initial applications are refused or receive a lower award than the applicant expected. This does not mean the decision is final.

Redetermination: You can ask Social Security Scotland to look at the decision again. This is called a redetermination and is the first step if you disagree. It is free and you do not need a lawyer or adviser, though having support helps.

Appeal: If you are still unhappy after redetermination, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland. Many decisions are overturned at this stage.

Getting independent advice before a redetermination or appeal is strongly recommended. Citizens Advice Scotland can help with this for free.

More information: mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment/decision

Useful links

ADHD Scot is an independent, non-clinical information project. Nothing here is benefits advice. Rates and eligibility criteria are sourced from mygov.scot and are correct as of July 2026 — always check mygov.scot for the most current figures. For help with your ADP application or appeal, contact Citizens Advice Scotland or another independent adviser.