An independent review praises Scotland’s “compassionate” approach but warns that too many disabled people still find the system confusing and hard to access.
Scotland’s flagship disability benefit, hailed for its humanity and a gentler tone than its UK counterpart, is facing a reckoning. A new report has urged ministers to simplify the Adult Disability Payment system before a dramatic rise in claimants and costs puts it under serious pressure.
The warning comes as projections show the number of people receiving the payment is set to nearly double within six years — from 379,000 today to more than 703,000 by 2030.
A Kinder System, But Still Too Complicated
The Adult Disability Payment (ADP), introduced in 2022, was meant to be a turning point. Replacing the controversial Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it promised to treat disabled people with more respect and less suspicion.
And to be fair, it’s done that. The review, commissioned by the Scottish Government, acknowledged it as a “great foundation” and “significantly more compassionate” than anything offered by Westminster.
But here’s the rub: too many people still can’t get through it. The review found the application process confusing, the eligibility criteria unclear, and the system still full of barriers for those who are supposed to benefit.
One paragraph in the report stood out: “If disabled people are still struggling to access support, then the system isn’t working — no matter how kind the tone.”
That’s a blunt truth.
Why the System’s Set to Balloon
Let’s talk numbers. Because they’re big.
Between now and 2030, Scotland’s ADP caseload is expected to jump by more than 85%. That’s more than 700,000 people who’ll need help with the extra costs of disability or long-term health conditions.
And the price tag? That’s going up too — way up.
Ministers estimate the annual cost of the benefit will rise from current levels to over £5.4 billion by 2030-31. That’s billions, not millions.
But here’s what’s interesting: Scottish ministers say they’re happy to spend it.
“We’re proud to have built a more generous system,” one senior source said this week, “and we’re not about to apologise for that.”
Fair enough. But generous systems still need to work properly.
So What’s the Problem?
Despite its good intentions, the system’s still tangled up in a few knots. The review pointed to several issues flagged by disabled people and advocacy groups.
Here are a few of them:
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The eligibility rules are too vague, especially for people with fluctuating conditions.
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The application forms are long and complex.
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Support for filling them out is patchy and inconsistent.
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The decision-making process lacks transparency.
And that’s not all. Some users said the assessment process felt just as stressful as the old PIP regime they thought they’d escaped.
“There’s less suspicion,” one user said. “But it’s still hard to feel understood.”
Same Money, Different Delivery
Here’s something a lot of people don’t realise: the amounts paid under ADP are exactly the same as PIP. The difference is in how it’s delivered.
Let’s break that down in a table:
| Payment Type | Weekly Standard Rate | Weekly Enhanced Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Living | £73.90 | £110.40 |
| Mobility Support | £28.70 | £75.75 |
That means a person receiving the enhanced rate for both elements could get up to £186.15 a week. And they can claim it whether they’re in work or not.
But while the cash may be identical, users have consistently said they feel more “respected” by Social Security Scotland than they did with the Department for Work and Pensions.
That matters. But it can’t be the end of the story.
A System At Risk of Buckling?
The heart of the issue is this: if nearly three-quarters of a million people are going to rely on this benefit, the system has to be easier to access.
The review is urging ministers to act now — while they still can. That means:
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Clarifying the rules so people don’t give up halfway through.
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Making forms more user-friendly.
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Ensuring consistent support across the country.
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Improving communication and transparency in decisions.
Even small tweaks could make a big difference, especially for people already dealing with pain, fatigue, or mental stress.
But let’s not forget what’s at stake: if the system doesn’t get easier, people will fall through the cracks. And that means higher poverty rates, worse health outcomes, and a big dent in public trust.
Where Does It Go From Here?
For now, ministers have welcomed the report and say they’re studying its recommendations. Officials insist the ADP will continue to evolve — it’s not fixed in stone.
One insider hinted that eligibility rules may be reviewed soon, especially for invisible or variable conditions like ME, fibromyalgia, or long Covid.
But the real test will be whether disabled people feel the difference — not just hear about it.
Because kindness on paper isn’t enough. It needs to be felt, clearly, in the way the system treats people
