Adult Disability Payment for Learning Disabilities in Scotland

Adults with learning disabilities often qualify for Adult Disability Payment at higher rates than many applicants, because the condition affects a wide range of daily living activities. The challenge is that the person applying usually needs significant help with the form itself — and the form's language is not designed for Easy Read.

Activities Most Commonly Affected

Preparing food (Activity 1). If the person cannot safely use a cooker, cannot plan or sequence a meal from raw ingredients, or needs someone to supervise because they might leave a hob on, this activity scores points. The key question is what happens without help — not what they can manage when someone is there guiding every step.

Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition (Activity 3). Many adults with learning disabilities take regular medication but cannot manage doses without prompting. If someone else must physically hand them tablets or check they have taken the right amount, describe this clearly.

Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words (Activity 8). Difficulty reading appointment letters, understanding medication labels, or following written instructions applies here. If the person needs everything read to them or cannot understand a simple sign in a public building, the descriptors cover this.

Engaging with other people face to face (Activity 9). Social communication difficulties — misunderstanding conversations, becoming severely distressed in group situations, or needing an intermediary to manage interactions — score under this activity.

Making decisions about money (Activity 10). This covers both complex budgeting (managing bills, calculating household costs) and simple budgeting (shopping and receiving change). Many adults with learning disabilities need help with both.

Planning and following journeys (Activity 11). If the person cannot work out a route to an unfamiliar place, gets lost on familiar routes, or needs someone to accompany them when travelling, this activity applies.

Who Fills in the Form?

If the person has capacity to make decisions about their benefit claim, they can authorise a third-party representative to help. Social Security Scotland may appoint an appointee to act for them in benefit matters where the statutory conditions are met. These include an agreement route for a person aged 16 or over and a separate route where the person is incapable in relation to their benefit entitlement and no guardian, judicial factor, or other authorised person is willing to act. Someone with existing legal authority to manage their benefits may also act without a separate appointee process.

Either way, Part 2 should be completed by or with someone who sees the person daily and can describe their actual support needs. The risk with learning disability applications is under-reporting — the person themselves may not recognise what they cannot do, because they have always had help.

Writing Effective Answers

Describe what the person needs, not what they can achieve with full support. The scoring looks at their ability without help first, then assesses what level of assistance is needed.

For each activity, answer three questions:

1. Can they do it at all without help?
2. If they need help, what kind — verbal prompting, physical assistance, or supervision?
3. How often is help needed — every time, most times, or occasionally?

Use concrete examples: "He cannot prepare a hot meal from ingredients. He can make a sandwich with prompting but would not eat if no one reminded him. His support worker prepares his main meal every day."

Supporting Evidence

Strong evidence for learning disability claims includes:

• Social work assessments or care plans that describe daily support hours
• Support worker statements detailing what help is provided and how often
• Educational psychologist reports (especially for younger adults transitioning from child services)
• Occupational therapy reports on daily living skills
• GP or psychiatrist letters confirming the diagnosis and functional impact

Social Security Scotland gives equal weight to evidence from carers and support workers as to clinical evidence. A detailed statement from someone who provides day-to-day care is often the most useful document in the application.

Our ADP claim guide covers each activity with plain-language prompts designed for carers and support workers completing the form on someone's behalf.

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