The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that people living in England or Wales on Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) who move to Scotland must now make a new claim for the equivalent Scottish benefit, as automatic case transfers have ended.
New rules for moves to Scotland
The rule change came into effect earlier this year following the completion of Attendance Allowance and DLA case transfers to Social Security Scotland. Before the change, those moving permanently from England or Wales to Scotland had their cases automatically transferred to the equivalent benefit administered by Social Security Scotland.
DWP said: "Attendance Allowance customers who move permanently from England or Wales to Scotland now need to make a new claim to the Scottish benefit, Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). DLA customers who move permanently from England or Wales to Scotland now need to contact Social Security Scotland to discuss entitlement to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)."
Who is affected and what to do
The change applies to everyone on a DWP-delivered disability benefit who permanently moves from England or Wales to Scotland, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLAc) and Carer’s Allowance.
To minimise payment disruptions, people are urged to apply for the replacement benefits – Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment and Carer Support Payment – as soon as possible after the move. Before applying to Social Security Scotland, they must tell the DWP or the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland about their move. Older people on DLA will also need to inform their benefit provider and contact Social Security Scotland to request Scottish Adult DLA.
Support and payment continuity
Social Security Scotland’s Chief Operating Officer Karyn Dunning said: “It’s vital disabled people and carers who move to Scotland take action to ensure they continue to get the financial support they are entitled to.
“We know applying for benefits can feel daunting, especially alongside moving to a new country, but there is an in-depth guide available on mygov.scot.
“Our staff are also here to answer questions and help people apply. We can provide help over the phone, through webchat or through a face-to-face appointment with one of our community-based advisors.
“I urge people not to put off applying. The Scottish approach to benefits is very different from that of the DWP. For example, we do not use private sector assessors to make decisions.
“Our system is built on the principles of dignity, fairness and respect, and we want disabled people and carers to get every penny they’re entitled to.”
The DWP and Department of Communities in Northern Ireland will continue to pay PIP, DLA for children and Carer's Allowance for 13 weeks after a move to Scotland. People who make a successful application for a devolved disability benefit may be entitled to have their payments backdated to the day after their DWP benefit ended.
A full guide to benefits for people moving to Scotland is available on MYGOV.SCOT, and Social Security Scotland can be contacted on 0800 182 2222.
