DWP rule change for disability benefit claimants moving from England or Wales to Scotland, Digi Mart USA News: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed new rules for people living in England or Wales who receive Attendance Allowance (AA) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and then move to Scotland. The rule change took effect earlier this year, after Attendance Allowance and DLA case transfers to Social Security Scotland were completed.
DWP said: “Attendance Allowance customers who move permanently from England or Wales to Scotland now need to make a new claim to the Scottish benefit, Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). DLA customers who move permanently from England or Wales to Scotland now need to contact Social Security Scotland to discuss entitlement to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA).”
Before the change, people on Attendance Allowance and DLA who permanently moved from England or Wales to Scotland had their cases transferred automatically to the equivalent benefit run by Social Security Scotland. Under the new rules, the same requirement applies to everyone receiving a DWP-delivered disability benefit who permanently moves from England or Wales to Scotland.
This includes Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLAc) and Carer’s Allowance.
To minimize payment disruption, people are being urged to apply for the replacement benefits as soon as possible after moving. These are Adult Disability Payment, 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 about their move. Older people on DLA will also need to inform their benefit provider and contact Social Security Scotland to request Scottish Adult DLA.
Karyn Dunning, Social Security Scotland’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “It’s vital disabled people and carers who move to Scotland take action to ensure they continue to get the financial support they are entitled to.
“We know applying for benefits can feel daunting, especially alongside moving to a new country, but there is an in-depth guide available on mygov.scot. Our staff are also here to answer questions and help people apply.
We can provide help over the phone, through webchat or through a face-to-face appointment with one of our community-based advisors.
“I urge people not to put off applying. The Scottish approach to benefits is very different from that of the DWP.
For example, we do not use private sector assessors to make decisions. Our system is built on the principles of dignity, fairness and respect, and we want disabled people and carers to get every penny they’re entitled to.”
The DWP and the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland will continue to pay PIP, DLA for children and Carer’s Allowance for 13 weeks after a recipient moves to Scotland. The advice to apply early is intended to reduce disruption to payments during claims processing between welfare agencies.
People whose devolved disability benefit application is successful may be entitled to backdated payments from the day after their DWP benefit ended.
More information on moving to Scotland and claiming devolved benefits is available on MYGOV.SCOT or by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
