DWP 13-week rule for benefit claimants moving between Scotland and England, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): The Department for Work and Pensions has explained how the system works for people in Scotland and England who are on benefits and move from one country to the other. The information was released in an update on the relationship between Scotland’s and England’s social security systems, including a 13-week rule that claimants need to know about.
The DWP and Social Security Scotland support claimants across two different systems. DWP officials have procedures to help point people in Scotland toward Scotland-only benefits.
In its new update, the DWP said it has specific rules to support claimants when they move from one country to the other, and a special 13-week rule exists to assist with that transition.
The November statement follows a request for answers from Scott Arthur, Labour MP for Edinburgh South West. He asked the department what steps it is taking to improve the adequacy of the relationship between the social security systems in England and Scotland, and what it was doing to get more young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds in Scotland into work.
On Friday, November 6, the DWP issued a parliamentary response through minister Andrew Western. He said DWP and Social Security Scotland have a close, ongoing working relationship built around supporting shared customers across two systems.
DWP service delivery colleagues signpost claimants to Social Security Scotland for devolved benefits, and both organizations collaborate through regular forums, joint working groups and a dedicated DWP liaison unit.
Western said the agencies share information and data to support customers who receive benefits from both governments. When someone moves from one jurisdiction to the other, the customer continues to receive the relevant benefit for up to 13 weeks from the date of the move, giving them time to make a new claim with either DWP or Social Security Scotland as appropriate.
The response also addressed youth employment. Western noted that around one million young people are not in education, employment or training, and said the UK Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 into the Youth Guarantee across Great Britain and the Growth and Skills Levy in England, with Barnett consequentials for the Scottish Government.
He said this is expected to support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
Western listed further measures, including the expansion of Youth Hubs to more than 360 locations across Great Britain by March 2029 and earlier intensive support through the Youth Guarantee Gateway, under which every young person on Universal Credit looking for work will receive tailored support from their first Jobcentre appointment. He also cited the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, which provides long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six-month job.
Phase One of the Jobs Guarantee began in April 2026, aiming to deliver over 1,000 job starts across six areas, including Central and East Scotland, with national rollout in 25 areas across Great Britain starting from November 2026.
The response comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham awaits a report this year from senior Labour figure Alan Milburn, which is due to recommend significant reforms to get more young people into work. Some reports suggest this could include replacing PIP and Universal Credit for young people.
Western said the government will use Milburn’s interim report to continue building its reforms and looks forward to final recommendations in the autumn.
Individuals moving from England to Scotland can find guidance on the Social Security Scotland website.
