Waiting times for Adult Disability Payment worse than DWP

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today warned that ministers need to ‘face up to reality’ after figures published this week showed a further increase in the waiting time for Adult Disability Payment. The figures show record processing times, now longer than those under the DWP.

The most recent figures from Social Security Scotland for April show that on average it took 19 weeks to process an application, longer than the 9 weeks for the equivalent Personal Independence Payment in England and Wales. The website for Adult Disability Payment previously told applicants that their cases would be processed in 8-10 weeks, but that section has since been removed.

Adult Disability Payment is administered by Social Security Scotland and replaces the DWP Personal Independence Payment. Current PIP claimants are being moved onto Adult Disability Payment, and new applications can be made to Social Security Scotland.

The latest figures come after welfare rights group warned in May that the roll-out of Adult Disability Payment had been affected by ‘significant delays’.

Mr Rennie said:

“It is shocking that those applying for Adult Disability Payment are facing longer waits than under the DWP. 

"The SNP promised fairness, respect and dignity in the social security system, but leaving people in limbo for months while they wait for a decision achieves none of that. Ministers are long on rhetoric and short on delivery.

“Previous assurances that steps were being taken have fallen flat, with waiting times continuing to rise. The government needs face up to reality and to set out what they are doing to bring these waits down.”