Disability payment extended to Angus residents

People living in Angus are now eligible to apply for the Scottish Government's Adult Disability Payment.
Social security minister Ben Macpherson. (Scottish Government)Social security minister Ben Macpherson. (Scottish Government)
Social security minister Ben Macpherson. (Scottish Government)

The new benefit replaces the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment and provides financial support to people aged between 16 and state pension age, who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or have a terminal illness.

People already receiving Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance do not need to make an application. These existing awards will transfer automatically from the DWP to Social Security Scotland. Cases will transfer in stages starting from this summer and this process is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Adult Disability Payment is being introduced in pilot areas ahead of opening nationwide on August 29. It was successfully introduced in Perth, Dundee and the Western Isles in March and further council areas will be introduced in July.

Ben Macpherson, minister for social security, said: “We are taking a positive, responsible and compassionate approach to delivering disability benefits, centred around our principles of dignity, fairness and respect. Adult Disability Payment is the twelfth Scottish benefit to be introduced, and without doubt the most complex.

“People can apply for Adult Disability Payment in the way that suits them best. As well as online and over the phone, local delivery staff can provide pre-application advice and encourage people to take up their entitlements. I encourage those who think they could be eligible to check and apply.

We would urge people who think that they may need additional support in applying, as well as with re‑determinations and appeals, to consider using VoiceAbility, an independent advocacy service that we are funding.

“Our approach to delivering disability benefits has been designed with people with lived experience of disability benefits, and we are taking a different approach to that of the UK Government. People will be treated with dignity and respect and we will start from a position of trust. There will be no private sector assessors and clients will be given greater choice to help them, including times and locations of meetings, with home visits available.”