The Department for Work & Pensions has brought in new rules for people in England or Wales who get Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance and move to Scotland permanently. The changes started on February 23 after all AA and DLA cases moved over to Social Security Scotland. This update changes how disability benefits work when people move between different parts of the UK.
People who receive Attendance Allowance now have to make a new application for Scotland’s Pension Age Disability Payment when they move. Anyone getting Disability Living Allowance needs to contact Social Security Scotland to check if they can get Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance. Before this the cases would transfer automatically but that no longer happens.
The new rules affect anyone getting DWP disability benefits who moves to Scotland. This covers people claiming Personal Independence Payment & Disability Living Allowance for children & Carer’s Allowance. To make sure payments continue without stopping people should apply for the Scottish benefits right after they move. These include Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment & Pension Age Disability Payment and Carer Support Payment.
Before applying to Social Security Scotland people must tell the DWP or the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland that they are moving. Older people getting DLA also need to inform their current benefit provider and ask to switch to the Scottish system.
Officials say it is important to act fast. Social Security Scotland staff have said that help is available by phone and webchat and at in-person meetings. The Scottish system aims to be fair and respectful & works differently from the DWP because it does not use private assessors.
Current benefits like PIP & DLA for children and Carer’s Allowance will keep being paid for up to 13 weeks after moving to Scotland. This gives people time to send in new applications so they do not lose money. Sometimes people who get approved may also receive backdated payments from when their old benefit stopped.
