Disability Living Allowance for adults (DLA) is a benefit delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for disabled people that is gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The most recent figures from the DWP show that at the end of August 2021, there were more than 1.3 million people claiming DLA across the UK, including 141,328 in Scotland.
However, some DLA claimants living in Scotland may not be aware that their disability benefit will be moving to Social Security Scotland this year, in a migratory move that is expected to take around three years to complete.
Guidance on the mygov.scot website states: “The process of moving people on DLA who were born on or after 8 April 1948 starts in summer 2022. It will take around 3 years to move everyone.
“If you were born before 8 April 1948 then your benefit will move later.”
It goes on to confirm that DLA claimants will still keep receiving their regular payments from the DWP until their benefit moves over to the Scottish welfare system.
You will automatically move to Social Security Scotland if:
- you’re over 16
- you get DLA
- you live in Scotland
Moving automatically means:
- there will be no gaps in payment
- your case will not be reassessed or renewed during the move
When will I know I’m moving from DWP?
When it's time for your benefit to move, DWP will contact you, they will also keep paying you until Social Security Scotland starts to pay you.
Once your benefit starts to move, Social Security Scotland will send you a letter - this will tell you what will happen next.
Social Security Scotland states that this letter will go to the address that DWP has on file for you, so make sure they have an up-to-date address for you.
Before your benefit moves to Social Security Scotland
The guidance advises: “If you have a review before summer 2022, DWP will manage this. Make sure you continue to follow any requests from DWP.”
It continued: “Tell DWP if you need to report a change in your health condition before your benefit starts moving to Social Security Scotland.”
If there’s a change in your health condition before summer 2022, DWP will ask you to apply for PIP - your benefit will then move to Social Security Scotland at a later date.
If there’s a change in your health condition after summer 2022, DWP will not ask you to apply for PIP, they will start to move your benefit to Social Security Scotland.
You can report a change in your address or circumstances by calling the DWP general enquiry line free on 08001214600.
Find out more about the new devolved disability benefits on mygov.scot here.
To keep up to date with the new benefits system, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here, follow Record Money on Twitter here, or subscribe to our twice weekly newsletter here.
