Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment (ADP): Analysis of responses to a public consultation and call for evidence

The Lines Between were asked to undertake an independent analysis of the consultation and call for evidence conducted by the Chair of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment that ran between 28 June and 30 August 2024.


Appendix D: Daily Living Activities

Ten activities are considered for the daily living component:

  • Preparing food.
  • Taking nutrition.
  • Managing therapy and monitoring a health condition.
  • Washing and bathing.
  • Managing toilet needs or incontinence.
  • Dressing and undressing.
  • Communicating verbally.
  • Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words.
  • Engaging socially with other people face-to-face.
  • Making budgeting decisions.

A Social Security Scotland case manager looks at a person’s ability to complete the ten activities based on the information they give in their application form. Each activity has an associated series of statements called descriptors, and the case manager decides which descriptor applies to the person, with each activity given a score between zero to 12.

Which descriptor the case manager selects depends on several factors, but the case manager must only choose one descriptor. This applies to both fluctuating conditions and stable conditions. To decide which descriptor applies for those with fluctuating conditions, a ‘50% rule’ is applied, as set out in the consultation paper. Case managers must also consider whether a person can reliably complete an activity. Reliably means whether a person can carry out activity safely, to an acceptable standard and repeatedly.

Contact

Email: adpreview@gov.scot

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