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 a November update on the relationship between Scotland and England’s social security systems, which also covers 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 update, the DWP said it has specific rules to support claimants when they move between the two countries, including a special 13-week rule to assist with that transition.
The update follows a request for answers from Scott Arthur, Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, who asked the department what steps it is taking to improve the relationship between the social security systems in England and Scotland. He also asked what the DWP was doing to get more young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in Scotland into work.
On Friday, November 6, the DWP issued a parliamentary response. DWP minister Andrew Western said that DWP and Social Security Scotland have a close, ongoing working relationship built around supporting shared customers across two systems.
DWP service delivery staff 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.
Western also addressed the government’s work to help more young people into work. His 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 that with around one million young people not in education, employment or training, 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 supports almost one million young people and creates up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
The measures include expanding Youth Hubs to more than 360 locations across Great Britain by March 2029 and providing 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. Western said the investment will create around 300,000 additional opportunities for workplace experience and training and help unlock up to 200,000 additional jobs through the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant.
The Jobs Guarantee scheme provides long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six-month job. Phase One delivery began in April 2026, aiming to deliver over 1,000 job starts across six areas with some of the highest need, including Central and East Scotland.
National rollout will be delivered in 25 areas across Great Britain, starting in November 2026.
Western said the government recognizes the participation crisis described in Alan Milburn’s interim report and will use it to continue building its reforms, looking forward to final recommendations in the autumn. For information on what to do when moving from England to Scotland, claimants can visit the relevant page on the Social Security Scotland website.
