More people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will now start moving to the new Adult Disability Payment, according to Social Security Scotland. The devolved benefit provides the same financial support as the DWP for people living in Scotland between 16 and State Pension age, who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or have a terminal illness.
People already receiving PIP do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment as the migration will be automatic. Social Security Scotland said: “We are now able to transfer more people receiving PIP from the Department for Work and Pensions to Adult Disability Payment.
“As with all case transfers, before someone’s award is transferred, they will receive a letter from the DWP and Social Security Scotland to let them know. Usually, they will receive this letter around 13 weeks before they start to get their Adult Disability payment from us.”
Once the transfer is complete, they will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland to let them know they will be receiving Adult Disability Payment from then on.
The devolved welfare system also explained that while it was developing the case transfer processes, people were clear that they wanted transfers conducted quickly, while making sure time was taken to ensure “people continued to get the payment they expect, to the place they expect it at the time they expect it.”
It said that’s why, at the beginning of the transfer process, fewer PIP awards were moved, to “ensure that our processes were running effectively and fluently”.
Since Adult Disability Payment launched last year, only people receiving PIP have had their awards transferred to the devolved payment if they reported a change in circumstances, or their PIP award was due to be reviewed or come to an end.
Social Security Scotland said nobody needs to take any action on receiving the letter and there will be no break in payments. However, it added: “If they have a change of circumstance after this letter but before they start getting Adult Disability Payment from us, they should notify the DWP.”
The Scottish Government aims to have all awards for disability and carer benefits transferred from the DWP by the end of 2025. Below is everything you need to know about which PIP changes you need to report to DWP.
Change of circumstances
Guidance on GOV.UK states that you must contact the PIP enquiry line if:
- your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor
- the help you need or your condition changes
- your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months
- you go into hospital or a care home
- you go abroad
- you’re imprisoned or held in detention
- your immigration status has changed, if you’re not a British citizen
How to report a change of circumstances to DWP
Before making the call you will need your National Insurance number, bank account details and your GP name and address in order for the DWP to verify your identity.
The PIP enquiry line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm:
- Telephone: 0800 121 4433 (option 5)
- Textphone: 0800 121 4493
- Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 4433
- Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users - check you can use the service here.
Find our more information on the GOV.UK website here.
To keep up to date with the latest disability benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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