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If you have a terminal illness

Transferring your award from the Department of Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland

Last updated
24 Mar 2025

Social Security Scotland is taking control of some benefits that used to be handled by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). These include:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults
  • Attendance Allowance

The transfer process is designed to be as simple and convenient as possible. Social Security Scotland will write to you to let you know the process is underway, and when it has finished.

If your benefits are being transferred, you:

  • do not need to reapply
  • will not be reassessed
  • will be paid at the same rate

If you’ve previously made an application for disability benefits under Special Rules for End of Life from DWP and were found to be ineligible, you may be eligible under Social Security Scotland’s Special Rules for Terminal Illness.

This is because the definition of terminal illness in Scotland is different to the rest of the UK. This means you may still be able to get a Social Security Scotland benefit under their Special Rules for Terminal Illness. Find out more about what Social Security Scotland means by terminal illness.

If you’re terminally ill and receiving Personal Independence Payment

If you’re terminally ill and receiving Personal Independence Payment, Social Security Scotland will make sure to move you to Adult Disability Payment quickly.

If you’re between 16 and State Pension age when your Adult Disability Payment award starts, you’ll receive:

  • the enhanced award for daily living
  • the enhanced award for mobility

Social Security Scotland will not review your Adult Disability Payment unless you ask them to or there is a reported change in circumstances.

If you're terminally ill and receiving Attendance Allowance

If you receive Attendance Allowance, your award will be transferred to Pension Age Disability Payment. Social Security Scotland will transfer awards in phases, starting from early 2025.

You'll keep getting your regular Attendance Allowance 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 Pension Age Disability Payment.

You do not need to do anything. Social Security Scotland will write to you when the process is underway.

If you’re terminally ill when your Pension Age Disability Payment award starts, you’ll receive the higher rate. Social Security Scotland will not review your Pension Age Disability Payment unless there is a change of circumstances or you ask them to.

If you're terminally ill and receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults

If you get DLA from DWP and live in Scotland, your award will be moved to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (Scottish Adult DLA). 

The process started on 21 March 2025. It will take until the end of 2025 to move everyone’s benefit to Scottish Adult DLA.

If you’re between 18 and State Pension age when you became terminally ill ,you’ll get the: 

  • highest award for the care component
  • higher award for the mobility component

If you’re over State Pension age when you became terminally ill, you'll get the:

  • same award for the mobility component that you got for DLA
  • highest award for the care component

Check if you’re under or over State Pension age on GOV.UK.

Social Security Scotland will not review your Scottish Adult DLA unless your circumstances change or you ask them to review your award.

Find out more about the move from DLA to Scottish Adult DLA if you have a terminal illness.

If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness during the move

If you become terminally ill before or during your benefit move, you should call DWP to let them know.

Social Security Scotland will make sure to move your benefit as quickly as possible.

Social Security Scotland will review your award if you get:

  • Personal Independence Payment
  • DLA and were born on or after 9 April 1948

DWP will review your award if you get:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • DLA and were born on or before 8 April 1948

If DWP find you’re ineligible under their Special Rules for End of Life, your benefit will automatically start moving to Social Security Scotland. Social Security Scotland will review your award under their Special Rules for Terminal Illness. 

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