The Department for Work and Pensions has introduced new rules for people receiving PIP Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance. Anyone moving to Scotland will need to follow different procedures as powers transfer to the Scottish government. The changes started in April after Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance cases finished transferring to Social Security Scotland.
The DWP said that people receiving Attendance Allowance who move permanently from England or Wales to Scotland must now apply for the Scottish benefit called Pension Age Disability Payment. Those getting Disability Living Allowance who move to Scotland need to contact Social Security Scotland to discuss whether they qualify for Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.
The changes also affect PIP and Carer’s Allowance along with all disability benefits. The Scotland Act 2016 gave Scotland new powers over social security including responsibility for certain benefits. The Scottish government website states they are using these powers to create a Scottish social security system based on dignity and fairness and respect. Social Security Scotland has now transferred all cases that were expected to move from PIP to Adult Disability Payment.
From April 2026 anyone in Scotland receiving PIP must submit a new application for Adult Disability Payment. Social Security Scotland has transferred all cases expected to move from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment. You should contact Social Security Scotland if you have not received a letter explaining that your benefit is moving from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment.
A new Scottish benefit called Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland as part of Scottish devolution. From the end of April Attendance Allowance awards will begin automatically moving to Pension Age Disability Payment. If you live in Scotland and still receive Disability Living Allowance then Social Security Scotland has now selected all cases expected to move from Disability Living Allowance to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance. Contact Social Security Scotland if you have not received a letter explaining that your benefit is moving to Social Security Scotland.
