The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that people receiving disability and carer benefits who move between Scotland and other parts of the UK can continue receiving their existing payments for up to 13 weeks while transferring to the appropriate benefit system.
The confirmation came in a written parliamentary response about cooperation between the UK Government and Social Security Scotland. Labour MP Dr Scott Arthur had asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about steps being taken to improve the relationship between the social security systems in England and Scotland.
DWP Minister Andrew Western confirmed that both organisations work together to support people receiving benefits from the two governments, including those moving between different parts of the UK.
What the minister said
Mr Western said: "DWP and Social Security Scotland have a close, ongoing working relationship built around supporting shared customers across two systems."
The minister added: "The agencies share information and data to support customers who receive benefits from both Governments and when someone moves from one jurisdiction to the other, the customer continues to receive the relevant benefit for up to 13 weeks from the date of move to provide time for them to make a new claim from either DWP or Social Security Scotland as appropriate."
The arrangements are particularly relevant to people receiving disability or carer benefits that have been replaced by devolved payments in Scotland.
Benefits affected by moving to Scotland
Official guidance on mygov.scot states that people moving to Scotland from England, Wales or Northern Ireland who receive certain DWP benefits need to apply for the equivalent payment from Social Security Scotland. These include:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment in Scotland
- Attendance Allowance, which has been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children, which has been replaced by Child Disability Payment
- Carer's Allowance, which has been replaced by Carer Support Payment
People moving to Scotland should inform the department responsible for their existing benefit about their change of address. They should also apply for the relevant Scottish benefit as soon as possible rather than waiting until their existing payments stop.
The 13-week arrangement is designed to provide time for the new claim to be processed, but it does not mean payments from the original benefit will continue indefinitely.
Avoiding a gap in benefit payments
The Scottish Government advises people moving to Scotland to make their application promptly to help prevent interruptions to their financial support. Where someone qualifies for the equivalent Scottish benefit, the start date of their new award may be linked to the end of their previous benefit, depending on the circumstances and the rules of the payment.
People should not assume that an existing DWP award will automatically transfer to Social Security Scotland without a new application. Those who delay reporting their move or applying for the replacement benefit could experience payment difficulties.
The rules also apply in the opposite direction, with people moving from Scotland to another part of the UK needing to contact Social Security Scotland and make the appropriate claim through the DWP. Further information about the arrangements, including the benefits affected and the steps people need to take, is available on the Scottish Government's MYGOV.SCOT website.
