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Moving to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance

If you have a severe visual impairment

Last updated
24 Mar 2025

If you have a severe visual impairment, but you’re not getting the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you may be able to get the higher rate of Scottish Adult DLA.

Find out if you're eligible

To find out if you’re eligible for the higher rate of the mobility component, contact Social Security Scotland as soon as you can in a way that’s right for you.

What you need to send Social Security Scotland

Once you’ve called Social Security Scotland, they’ll ask you to send supporting information from a medical professional to help understand if you’re eligible. 

This information should confirm that you have a severe visual impairment. Examples of supporting information you can send are:

  • a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) Scotland form, which you can get from a registered ophthalmologist 
  • letters about assessments or referrals
  • care plans or treatment plans
  • letters about appointments
  • medical test results
  • letters about equipment or adaptations to the home
  • letters from occupational therapists or physiotherapists
  • official diagnosis letters from GPs or hospitals
  • letters from hospitals or clinics

Find out how to send supporting information to Social Security Scotland.

Social Security Scotland will review your award

Social Security Scotland will review your award. They’ll send you a letter to let you know if you’re eligible for the higher rate of the mobility component or not. 

If you're eligible for the higher rate

If you’re eligible for the higher rate of the mobility component, Social Security Scotland will typically pay you from the date you became eligible for Scottish Adult DLA. This will typically be a date in the past.

This means you get the full award amount you’re entitled to, from the date you were entitled to it.

Social Security Scotland will automatically pay you any additional payments you’re due. You do not need to do anything. Social Security Scotland will include detail in their letter of any additional payments you’re due and how much these will be.

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