Case transfers from Personal Independence Payment to Adult Disability Payment began

People who got Personal Independence Payment (PIP) started to have their award transferred to Adult Disability Payment in phases from 13 June 2022, according to official statistics published by the Scottish Government¹. Some people who got Disability Living Allowance for adults began to have their award transferred from 29 August 2022¹. Both groups had their awards moved from the Department for Work and Pensions¹.

Adult Disability Payment is the replacement for PIP and Disability Living Allowance for adults in Scotland, is administered by Social Security Scotland, and provides money towards the extra daily living and mobility costs a person living with a disability might have¹. Executive competence for Disability Living Allowance and PIP was transferred to the Scottish Government on 1 April 2020¹.

The transfer of awards followed the rollout of new applications. From 21 March 2022, new applications were taken for people living in the pilot areas of Dundee City, Na h-Eileanan Siar and Perth and Kinross¹. The pilot expanded to include Angus, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire on 20 June 2022, and further expanded to include Fife, City of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire on 25 July 2022, before launching nationally to all remaining local authority areas on 29 August 2022¹.

As of 31 July 2026, 510,150 people were in receipt of Adult Disability Payment. Of those, 201,645 (40%) were new applicants and 308,505 (60%) had their award transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions¹. Between 21 March 2022 and 31 July 2026, the total value of Adult Disability Payments issued was £7.9 billion, of which £2.9 billion went to new applicants and £5.0 billion to people whose award was transferred¹.

On the application process, the statistics state:

From 21 March 2022 to 31 July 2026, there were 489,995 part 1 applications and 400,640 part 2 applications received. There were 443,820 applications processed with a decision made by 31 July 2026, of which 43% were authorised, 54% were denied and 3% were withdrawn¹. The authorisation rate decreased from a peak of 64% in September 2022 to 33% in January 2026¹.

Why it matters for households

The transfer means that, for people in Scotland who were getting PIP or Disability Living Allowance for adults, the payment is made by Social Security Scotland rather than the Department for Work and Pensions, with awards moved in phases from 13 June 2022 and 29 August 2022 respectively¹. The statistics do not set out how an individual's award amount is affected by the transfer, and no change to entitlement levels is reported.

The figures cover the period to 31 July 2026. Of the 443,820 applications decided by then, 43% were authorised, 54% denied and 3% withdrawn¹. The median average processing time for "normal rules" applications rose from 62 days in April 2026 to 86 days in July 2026¹. Of all applications decided by 31 July 2026, 48% had been processed within 60 working days and 4% had taken 141 or more working days¹.

As of 31 July 2026, 315,070 reviews had been completed: 251,110 (80%) resulted in no change in award, 49,130 (16%) in an increase and 14,830 (5%) in a decrease. Of the reviews that resulted in a decrease, 5,920 (40%) ended the award¹.

People under 15 or over 65 are significantly more likely to have applications withdrawn as they do not meet the age eligibility criteria, and the statistics say they should apply for Child Disability Payment or Pension Age Disability Payment instead¹. Separate guidance covers moving between Scotland and the rest of the UK with disability and carer payments¹.

What happens next

The next publication, covering up to 31 October 2026, will be released on 15 December 2026¹.