How to apply for Adult Disability Payment

You'll apply for Adult Disability Payment in 2 parts.

If you're applying for someone who is terminally ill there is only one part to make the process faster.

You can complete your application online, or by phone and paper.

Apply online

To apply online:

1. Start your online application through myaccount.
2. Submit part 1 within 14 days (2 weeks).
3. Submit part 2 within 56 days (8 weeks) - you can ask for more time if you need it.

Apply online

Help to apply online

If you have not used myaccount before, you'll need to:

• register with a user name and password
• give some personal details

You can save your application as you go if you want to come back to it and complete it when it suits you.

You can only have one online application open at a time.

If you do not submit part 2 of your application within 8 weeks Social Security Scotland will:

• assume you do not plan to complete your application
• delete your application after 90 days from the date you started to protect your personal data

You can contact Social Security Scotland and ask for more time to complete part 2 if you need it. You do not have to give a reason.

Apply by phone and paper

To apply by phone and paper:

1. Phone Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) to start an application.
2. Give your details so they can complete part 1 of the application for you over the phone.
3. Social Security Scotland will send you a paper application form and a return envelope.
4. Complete and return the form within 8 weeks - you can ask for more time if you need it.

If you're applying for someone who is terminally ill, you can complete the whole application over the phone.

If you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the Contact Scotland service to contact Social Security Scotland. 

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications

If you apply for PIP the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send your application to Social Security Scotland.

Social Security Scotland will:

• use it as an application for Adult Disability Payment
• make a decision about your application

You'll get your payments from the date you applied for PIP, if your application is successful.

You do not need to complete a separate Adult Disability Payment application.

Applications for Adult Disability Payment using a PIP form

If you send a PIP application form to Social Security Scotland, they'll use it as an application for Adult Disability Payment.

You do not need to complete a separate Adult Disability Payment application.

Applicants who get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults

If you already get PIP or DLA for adults from the DWP you do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment.

Social Security Scotland will move your benefit to Adult Disability Payment. You do not need to do anything.

You cannot get PIP or DLA for adults and Adult Disability Payment at the same time.

If you make a new application for Adult Disability Payment and Social Security Scotland have started to move your benefit they’ll: 

• accept Part 1 of the new application as a valid application for Adult Disability Payment
• make a determination using Part 1 of the new application only 

A ‘determination’ is the legal term for the decision Social Security Scotland makes about your Adult Disability Payment.

Once they've made the determination on your new application, Social Security Scotland will continue with the process of moving your benefit to Adult Disability Payment. 

Until the move happens, you’ll continue to get PIP or DLA for adults from the DWP. 

Find out more about how your benefit is moving to Social Security Scotland.