The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed new rules for people on Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) who move permanently from England or Wales to Scotland. The change, which took effect earlier this year, means these claimants now need to make a new claim to the equivalent Scottish benefit instead of having their case automatically transferred.
Under the previous system, cases were transferred automatically to the equivalent benefit administered by Social Security Scotland. Now, Attendance Allowance customers who move permanently to Scotland must claim Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), while DLA customers must contact Social Security Scotland to discuss entitlement to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA).
Who is affected by the change?
The rule applies 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, claimants 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, people must tell the DWP or the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland about their move. Older people on DLA also need to inform their benefit provider and contact Social Security Scotland to request Scottish Adult DLA.
Call to act early
Social Security Scotland's Chief Operating Officer Karyn Dunning urged people not to delay applying. She 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."
Dunning added: "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."
She also noted that the Scottish approach to benefits differs from the DWP's, including not using private sector assessors to make decisions, and said the system is built on the principles of "dignity, fairness and respect".
Payment continuity and backdating
The DWP and the 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. The early application call reflects claims processing times and aims to minimise disruption between welfare agencies.
People who make a successful application for a devolved disability benefit may have payments backdated to the day after their DWP benefit ended. More information is available on MYGOV.SCOT or by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
