Moving from Disability Living Allowance to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
A new benefit called Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (Scottish Adult DLA) is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for all adults in Scotland. This is happening as part of Scottish devolution.
Scottish Adult DLA is only available to people who:
- are over 18
- already get DLA for adults from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- live in Scotland
You cannot apply for Scottish Adult DLA. Your DLA will move to Scottish Adult DLA automatically. You do not need to do anything to start the move.
Which DLA awards are moving to Scottish Adult DLA
From 21 March 2025, all adults in Scotland still getting DLA from DWP will move to Scottish Adult DLA.
Before Scottish Adult DLA was introduced on 21 March 2025, some people born on or after 9 April 1948 may have had their award moved to Adult Disability Payment.
This was so changes in their disability or health condition could be reviewed against Adult Disability Payment instead of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with DWP.
Find out more if your DLA is already moving to Adult Disability Payment.
The amount you get will stay the same
You'll keep getting your regular DLA payments from DWP until your benefit moves.
There will be no gap in your entitlement. You’ll be paid the same amount when your benefit moves to Scottish Adult DLA.
When your DLA will move
The move will happen in stages. It will not happen to everyone at the same time.
The process started on 21 March 2025. It will take until the end of 2025 to move everyone’s benefit to Scottish Adult DLA.
Find out more about what will happen with your benefit.
If your DLA award started moving before 21 March 2025, you’ll move to Adult Disability Payment. Find out more about DLA moving to Adult Disability Payment and what happens next.
How long your move will take
When your benefit starts moving, it will take 4 to 8 weeks to complete the move to Scottish Adult DLA.
If your DLA award is due to be renewed
If your DLA award is due to be renewed before your benefit starts moving, DWP will contact you.
DWP will manage your benefit and payments until the move to Scottish Adult DLA is complete.
Keep contacting DWP about your review renewal until your benefit has moved to Social Security Scotland.
If you live outside the UK
Your DLA will not automatically move to Scottish Adult DLA if you live outside the UK.
You can contact DWP and ask them to move your benefit to Scottish Adult DLA if both of the following apply to you:
- you live in the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland or Gibraltar
- you have a ‘genuine and sufficient link’ to Scotland
A genuine and sufficient link is where you do not live in Scotland but have a link to Scotland. For example, you have spent a significant part of your life in Scotland.