Deciding if you should apply for Adult Disability Payment if you're aged between 16 and 18

Between the ages of 16 and 18, you can choose to either:

• apply for Adult Disability Payment at any time
• keep getting Child Disability Payment

If you want to apply for Adult Disability Payment, you can decide when’s best for you to do this.

Things to consider

Eligibility

You will not automatically get Adult Disability Payment because you’re getting Child Disability Payment. Social Security Scotland uses different rules to decide if you should receive each benefit.

Find out more about qualifying for Adult Disability Payment.

How much you get

If you get Adult Disability Payment, you could get paid less, the same or more than you get for Child Disability Payment.

This may affect your personal or household budget, especially if you get paid less. 

Find out how much you can get for Adult Disability Payment.

Impact on your other benefits

Getting Adult Disability Payment could change what other benefits you’re eligible for and how much you can get.

What you’ll be asked about

Before you start your application for Adult Disability Payment, you can:

• see what questions you’ll be asked
• gather the information you’ll need

You should give yourself plenty of time to complete and submit your application.

Get help to decide

Before applying, you could contact support organisations to find out:

• how moving to Adult Disability Payment might affect you
• if it’s right for your needs

You can talk about your options with:

• your parent or guardian
• a carer or support worker
• anyone else who helps you

You can get extra support to understand and apply for benefits from Social Security Scotland.

You’ll get support from a person known as an advocate. Find out how they can help you.