The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed new rules are in place for people living in England or Wales on Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) who move to Scotland. The DWP confirmed the rule change came into effect earlier this year following the completion of Attendance Allowance and DLA case transfers to Social Security Scotland.
New claim required for Scottish benefits
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)."
Before the rule change, people on Attendance Allowance and DLA who permanently moved from England or Wales to Scotland had their cases automatically transferred to the equivalent benefit administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland.
Who is affected by the change
The change means the rules now apply to everyone on a DWP-delivered disability benefit who permanently moves from England or Wales to Scotland. This includes Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLAc) and Carer’s Allowance.
To minimise payment disruptions, people are being 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, people must tell the DWP or Department of Communities in Northern Ireland about their move. Older people on DLA will also need to inform their benefit provider and get in touch with Social Security Scotland to request Scottish Adult DLA.
Advice from Social Security Scotland
Commenting on the rule changes last year, Social Security Scotland’s Chief Operating Officer Karyn Dunning recently 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."
A full guide to benefits for people moving to Scotland can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.
Payment continuity and backdating
It’s important to be aware the DWP and Department of Communities in Northern Ireland will continue to pay PIP, DLA for children and Carer's Allowance to someone for 13 weeks after they move to Scotland. The call to make an application early is due to claims processing times to try and minimise disruption to payments between welfare agencies.
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. More information on moving to Scotland and claiming devolved benefits can be found on MYGOV.SCOT or by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
