Moving from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Adult Disability Payment
Your benefit is moving from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Social Security Scotland.
Your award may transfer to Adult Disability Payment if you:
- live in Scotland
- get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- were born on or after 8 April 1948
- report a relevant change in your circumstances
You'll keep getting your regular DLA payments until your benefit moves. There’ll be no gaps in payment.
Which DLA awards are moving to Adult Disability Payment
If you were born on or after 8 April 1948, your DLA award will move to Adult Disability Payment if:
- you report a change to your disability or health condition
- you ask to move to Adult Disability Payment
- your DLA award is ending or renewing
From Spring 2025, everyone still in receipt of DLA will have their benefit moved to Scottish Adult DLA.
What happens during the move to Adult Disability Payment
After Social Security Scotland moves your benefit, they’ll pay you an interim Adult Disability Payment award. This will be the same amount as your DLA. There will be no gaps in payment.
Social Security Scotland will not reassess or review your award during the move.
After the move, Social Security Scotland will begin to review your award based on your current circumstances. This may affect your payment.
Asking to have your DLA moved to Adult Disability Payment
If you’re thinking about asking to have your DLA moved to Adult Disability Payment, you should get independent advice.
An adviser will be able to talk to you about your circumstances and discuss what you should consider before asking to move to Adult Disability Payment.
Your benefit will move automatically
Social Security Scotland and DWP are working together to move your benefit, so you do not need to do anything.
This means that you do not have to end your DLA or apply for a new Social Security Scotland benefit.
If you were born on or after 8 April 1948, your DLA award will move to Adult Disability Payment if:
- you report a change to your disability or health condition
- you ask to move to Adult Disability Payment
- your DLA award is ending or renewing
Get support from an independent advocate
Independent advocates are available to help you with the process of having your benefit moved to Social Security Scotland.
The Independent Advocacy Service is provided by VoiceAbility.
If you need an advocate, you should:
- contact Social Security Scotland
- ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service
Contact Social Security Scotland:
- free on 0800 182 2222
- webchat
- Text Relay Service on 18001 +0300 244 4000
British Sign Language users can use the Contact Scotland service.
You can also contact VoiceAbility direct:
- 0300 303 1660
- www.voiceability.org
- SocialSecurityAdvocacy@voiceability.org
Get this information in other formats
You can call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222. Opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Find out what to do if you need help contacting Social Security Scotland, or are calling from abroad.
If you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the Contact Scotland BSL app to contact Social Security Scotland by video call.
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