Scots deserves a supportive social security system
The Scottish Government must explain why fewer applications for its flagship devolved social security payment are successful each year, say the Scottish Greens.
New figures released show that only 34% of all applications for Adult Disability Payment in the current financial year were accepted, compared to 35% earlier this financial year, 42% in 2024/25 and 51% in 2023/23.
Applicants this year are now less likely to receive support than new applicants elsewhere in the UK, with these figures comparing to 39% in the current year, 44% in 2025/26, 47% in 2024/25 and 49% in 2023/24, respectively, for the equivalent Personal Independence Payment in England and Wales.
Increasingly, more people are approaching Citizens Advice Scotland for help to challenge their ADP decision, with appeals representing more than a fifth of all ADP advice.
There is also a high proportion of successful appeals, 56%, which suggests that the Scottish Government is not “getting it right the first time” for more than half of claimants.
Adult Disability Payment is a non-means tested payment, paid to people in Scotland with disabilities and health conditions that affect their daily lives, and/or their mobility.
Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said:
“What started as a promise of ‘dignity, fairness and respect’ in a new era of devolved social security has resulted very quickly in fewer people receiving the support they need.
“After decades of cruel welfare reforms from successive Westminster governments, this was supposed to be a shift to a better Scotland that lifts disabled people out of poverty and offers them equitable treatment.
“However, that simply has not been the case. Applications are being rejected at a higher rate than even the notoriously stringent PIP system in England. And when they appeal, many get the payment they had initially, and wrongly, been denied.
"Year on year, the successful applications rate falls, which begs the question: have there been decisions within Social Security Scotland to assess applications more strictly than before? This serious question must be answered.
“Disabled Scots deserve better support. These payments often go towards things like personal care, help at home to maintain independent living, specialised equipment, therapies, taxi costs to health appointments or social activities, or adapting to other daily life challenges.
“It is the responsibility of the Scottish Government to act swiftly to ensure that disabled Scots are not rejected when asking for help. This is acutely and particularly true in a cost of living crisis when people on the lowest incomes will be punished the most.”