Work underway to move the benefits of over 66,000 people by end
of year
Disability Living Allowance for adults is being replaced by a new
Scottish benefit.
Work has begun to move the benefit awards of over 66,000 people
to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.
The new benefit will now be paid by Social Security Scotland
instead of the Department for Work and Pensions.
There will be no gaps in payments or reductions in the support
people get because of the transfer.
People getting DLA do not need to do anything as the transfer
will happen automatically.
Social Security Scotland will send letters to let people know
when their benefit is being moved and another when the move is
complete. The transfer process will take four to eight weeks.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, , said:
“I am pleased work has begun to transfer the benefit awards of
every adult in Scotland currently getting DLA to our new benefit.
“I want to reassure people affected that their payments will
transfer safely and securely, with no gaps or reductions to the
support they receive.
“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone gets
the financial support they're entitled to and this has not
changed following the UK Government's announcement on welfare.”
Background
Scottish Adult DLA was introduced to provide support for adults
who were still getting DLA on 21 March 2025. Like DLA for adults,
it is not open to new applications.
People born after 8 April 1948 can choose to apply for Adult
Disability Payment after their transfer to Scottish Adult DLA is
complete.
Social Security Scotland recommends anyone thinking of doing this
to get independent advice on which benefit is best for them as
some people might be better off on one benefit than the other.
Once a decision has been made on their application for Adult
Disability Payment they cannot return to Scottish Adult DLA.
Adults of working age who are newly in need of disability support
can apply for Adult Disability Payment.
Pensioners can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment, the
replacement for Attendance Allowance, in most of Scotland.
Where Pension Age Disability Payment is not yet available,
pensioners can apply for Attendance Allowance from the Department
for Work and Pensions.
