Scottish Government seeks feedback on mobility part of disability benefit

People are being encouraged to share their views on how Adult Disability Payment supports their mobility needs.

Adult Disability Payment, delivered by Social Security Scotland, was launched nationwide in August 2022 to replace the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It provides financial support to people aged between 16 and state pension age who are disabled or who have a long-term health condition or a terminal illness.

The benefit could be used to purchase essential assistive technologies for enhanced independence, such as rollators, crutches, or grab rails.

According to the Scottish Government, Adult Disability Payment will provide support to over 510,000 disabled people by 2025.

The new consultation on eligibility for the Adult Disability Payment mobility element will gather evidence to feed into a wider independent review and ensure the disability benefit meets people’s needs now and in the future.

The mobility element, one of two components to the payment, supports people who have difficulties moving around or planning and following journeys. Daily living is the second part of Adult Disability Payment.

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “Adult Disability Payment was developed in close co-operation with disabled people as part of our commitment to ensure Scotland’s social security system is delivered with dignity, fairness and respect.

“We want to hear a broad range of views on the eligibility criteria for the mobility element of Adult Disability Payment, particularly from people who are in receipt of disability benefits. We have already improved the application process for disability payments, while maintaining our commitment to safely and securely transferring people’s payments from the UK Government. We’d like to know about people’s experiences of this improved system.

“To anyone who receives Adult Disability Payment, or has views on how it is delivered, I would encourage you to respond to our consultation.”

The consultation asks people a range of questions across a range of topics to do with the mobility part of the disability benefit. For example, it seeks views on moving around activity, planning and following journeys activity, support for people with fluctuating conditions, alternative approaches, and more.

The consultation will close on 25 April. People can submit their views to the consultation here.