People who get PIP Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions now have to follow new rules. As part of giving Scotland more power, anyone who moves there will have to follow different rules.
Changes to DWP benefit rules
The changes began in April, when the last cases of Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance were sent to Social Security Scotland.
DWP Benefits Paid Early: Changes to Bank Holidays Move Pension and Benefit Dates
The DWP said that people who get Attendance Allowance and move permanently from England or Wales to Scotland must now apply for the Scottish benefit called Pension Age Disability Payment. If you get Disability Living Allowance and move to Scotland, you need to call Social Security Scotland to find out if you can get Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.
DWP Protects 4 PIP and DLA Groups: New Rules for Benefits Exclude Important Claimants
Along with all disability benefits, the changes also affect PIP and Carer’s Allowance. The Scotland Act 2016 gave Scotland more control over social security, including the ability to manage some benefits.
The Scottish government website says that they are using these powers to set up a social security system in Scotland that is fair, respectful, and based on dignity.
PIP: Social Security Scotland has now moved all of the cases that were supposed to move from PIP to Adult Disability Payment.
Anyone in Scotland who gets PIP must apply for Adult Disability Payment again starting on November 6, 2026.
Allowances for carers
All cases that were supposed to move from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment have now been moved by Social Security Scotland.
If you haven’t gotten a letter from Social Security Scotland saying that your benefit is changing from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment, you should get in touch with them.
Allowances for attendance
As part of Scottish devolution, Attendance Allowance is being replaced by a new Scottish benefit called Pension Age Disability Payment. Starting at the end of April, Attendance Allowance payments will automatically switch to Pension Age Disability Payment.
Living Allowance for People with Disabilities
Social Security Scotland has now chosen all of the cases that are likely to move from Disability Living Allowance to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance. This is true if you live in Scotland and still get Disability Living Allowance. If you haven’t gotten a letter saying that your benefits are moving to Social Security Scotland, you should call them.
