Other benefits and help if you get Adult Disability Payment

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales

If you get Adult Disability Payment, you might be able to get:

  • top-ups of your existing benefits

  • other benefits for the first time

  • money off your council tax

  • help with travel

  • grants and other help.

Adult Disability Payment is not treated as income for other benefits, and you do not pay tax on it.

Check if you can get Adult Disability Payment.

You can use the Adult Disability Payment award letter to apply for other benefits and help.

If you do not have proof of the award, the other benefit provider can contact Social Security Scotland to confirm that you're getting Adult Disability Payment.

Cost-of-living payment

The UK government gave people who get Adult Disability Payment a £150 cost-of-living payment between 20 June and 4 July 2023.

To get this payment, you must have:

  • been getting Adult Disability Payment on 1 April 2023, or

  • applied for Adult Disability Payment by 1 April 2023 - you won't get the payment until your claim is successful.

If you think you should have received a cost of living payment, you can report a missing payment on GOV.UK.

Benefit top-ups

If you get Adult Disability Payment, you might get a top-up - called a premium - on the following benefits:

  • Housing Benefit

  • income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

  • Income Support

  • Working Tax Credit

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - but only if you get the daily living component

  • Pension Credit - but only if you get the daily living component.

Getting Adult Disability Payment will not reduce your other benefits.

Get help from an adviser to find out what benefits you're entitled to and how to apply for them.

Other benefits

Getting Adult Disability Payment can mean that you qualify for other benefits.

Child Winter Heating Payment

Child Winter Heating Payment is a payment to help with household heating costs for disabled children and young people under 19 over the winter.

It's paid once a year by Social Security Scotland.

You do not have to apply for Child Winter Heating Payment. It's paid automatically to a child or young person under 19 in Scotland who is getting the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment in the 'qualifying week'.

The qualifying week is the week that starts on the third Monday in September.

Read more about Child Winter Heating Payment.

Benefits for your carer

If someone cares for you regularly, they might be able to get Carer Support Payment or Young Carer Grant.

Read more about Carer Support Payment and Young Carer Grant.

Council tax discounts

If you get the daily living component or the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment, you might get money off your council tax bill.

It's hard to say exactly how much you'll get off your bill because it depends on the components and rates of Adult Disability Payment you're getting. However, your council will be able to tell you.

How to apply

To get your discount, contact your local council and tell them you get Adult Disability Payment. You might need to send them a copy of your Adult Disability Payment award letter.

Find your local council on mygov.scot.

Help with travel

When you get your Adult Disability Payment award letter, you might be able to get a:

You might be able to pay less or travel free on public transport. Find out more about help with travel costs if you're disabled.

Grants and other help

Getting Adult Disability Payment can mean that you qualify for grants and other help.

The Independent Living Fund

The Independent Living Fund (ILF) can provide money to help disabled people aged 16 or over to live independently. Find out more about the Independent Living Fund on the ILF Scotland website.

The Transition Fund

If you're disabled and aged 16 to 25, you might be able to get help from the Transition Fund. It can provide money to help you take part in a new activity or learn a new skill. Find out more about the Transition Fund on the ILF Scotland website.

The Person Centred Planning Grant can help you plan for your future before you apply to the Transition Fund. Find out more about the Person Centred Planning Grant on the ILF Scotland website.

The Transition Fund Technology Grant can provide you with a piece of technology to help you get online. Find out more about the Transition Fund Technology Grant on the ILF Scotland website.

Warmer Homes Scotland

The Scottish government’s Warmer Homes Scotland programme offers money and support to households to stay warm and keep on top of energy bills.

You can access the programme by contacting Home Energy Scotland, who will check if you’re eligible.

Find out more about Warmer Homes Scotland on the Home Energy Scotland website.

More help

Get advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau to find out what benefits you can get and how to apply for them.

You can also:

  • get advice from the Money Talk Team at your local bureau - call 0800 028 1456 to be directed to your local bureau or go to the Money Talk Team website

  • use a benefits calculator to find out if you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to.