Disability benefits for disabled adults

In short

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is for people aged 16 and over in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the equivalent is Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
• You do not need to be out of work to claim, and savings do not stop PIP. The test looks at the difficulties you have with everyday tasks or getting around.
• Teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland move from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP after a letter. In Scotland, the move is a choice rather than automatic.
• If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for it to be looked at again. Check the deadline on your letter.

What PIP and ADP are for

PIP helps with extra living costs. It has two parts.

The daily living part can apply if you need help with tasks such as preparing food, eating and drinking, managing medicines or treatments, washing and bathing, using the toilet, dressing, managing money, socialising, or talking, listening and understanding.

The mobility part can apply if you need help working out and following a route, moving around, or leaving home.

You do not need a physical disability to qualify. GOV.UK says a cognitive or mental health condition, such as anxiety, may also count.

ADP in Scotland also has daily living and mobility parts. Your income, savings and whether you work are not taken into account, according to mygov.scot.

The rules in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

For PIP, GOV.UK says you can get it if all of these apply:

• you are 16 or over
• you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• you have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
• you expect the difficulties to last at least 12 months from when they started

GOV.UK also says you must have difficulty most of the time, which means more than half the days over a 12-month period.

In England and Wales, you usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years. You must be living in England or Wales when you apply.

In Northern Ireland, you must be 16 or over and under State Pension age. If you are over State Pension age, you may be able to apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

In Scotland

ADP is for people with a disability or long-term health condition. You can apply from 16. Moving between Scotland and England or Wales affects your claim, so tell the relevant body and make a new claim if you move.

Moving from DLA at 16

• England, Wales and Northern Ireland: DLA continues until 16. At 16, you will be invited to claim PIP. If you apply by the deadline in the letter, your DLA continues until your PIP claim is decided.
• Scotland: between 16 and 18, you can apply for ADP at any time or keep receiving Child Disability Payment. You will not get ADP automatically.

How to apply

In England and Wales, follow the steps on GOV.UK. When you call the PIP new claims line, you can ask for a home visit. GOV.UK also lists BSL video guides and easy read guides.

In Northern Ireland, the process has four steps:

1. Contact the PIP Centre by phone, post, or through sign language video relay.
2. Complete the "How your disability affects you" form (PIP2) and return it within one month. You can ask for more time.
3. Attend a health assessment. This may be in person or by phone, or it may not be needed.
4. Receive a written decision. You can ask for a copy of the assessor's report.

Universal Credit and work

You can get PIP while working. If you also claim Universal Credit, your health and ability to work may be looked at as part of that claim. Citizens Advice can explain how this works for you.

If you disagree with a decision

• England and Wales: ask for a mandatory reconsideration. You usually need to ask within one month of the date on the decision. If the decision still stands, you can appeal to a tribunal.
• Northern Ireland: ask for a mandatory reconsideration first. Then appeal to the Appeals Service within one month of the reconsideration notice.
• Scotland: ask Social Security Scotland to look again at its decision. Check the time limit in your decision letter.

Help with forms and decisions

• Citizens Advice can help with claims and questions about your rights in England and Wales.
• Advice NI gives benefit advice in Northern Ireland. Call 0800 915 4604.
• Scope runs a disability helpline. Call 0808 800 3333, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.