The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has flagged a change to rules for people claiming certain benefits who move to Scotland. The UK Government department, which oversees and administers welfare in England and Wales, has confirmed that from February 23, people living in the two nations and on Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) who move north of the border “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),” it added. The rules came into effect following the completion of transfers of Attendance Allowance and DLA cases to Social Security Scotland, The Daily Record reports.
Prior to that, claimants of the two non-means-tested financial support packages who permanently moved from England or Wales would have their cases automatically transferred to the equivalent benefit in Scotland, administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland – which handles devolved welfare payments.
Now that the latest changes have been made, everyone on a DWP-delivered disability benefit who permanently moves from England or Wales to Scotland will need to make a new claim.
It comes after the policy was applied to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLAc) and Carer’s Allowance in November last year.
In order to minimise gaps in payment, claimants are urged to apply for replacement benefits as soon as possible after moving.
These include:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Carer Support Payment
Some steps need to be taken before you relocate, with claimants needing to tell the DWP or Department of Communities in Northern Ireland about their move before applying to Social Security Scotland.
Older people claiming DLA will also need to let their benefit provider know and contact Social Security Scotland to request Scottish Adult DLA.
The Scottish Government agency’s deputy director Karyn Dunning recently 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.”
She urged people not to put off their application, noting that 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,” Ms Dunning added.
It should be noted that DWP and Department of Communities in Northern Ireland will continue to pay PIP, DLA for children and Carer’s Allowance to someone for 13 weeks after a claimant moves to Scotland.
The guidance to apply in good time is due to the length of time it takes to process claims, and efforts to limit disruption to payments between welfare agencies.
But even if claimants do lose out due to a payment gap, they may be able to have their payments backdated to the day after their DWP benefit ended if their application for a devolved disability benefit is successful.
You can find further information on moving to Scotland and devolved benefits on MYGOV.SCOT or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.