DLA Changes for people living in Scotland (Adult DLA) - help please.

Mum161111

I  have received a letter from DWP telling me that my DLA claim will transfer to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance on 20 August 2025. If this post would be better on a “Benefits” MSE Forum, please let me know.

I am quite stressed and will be glad of your help.  I have read the details to the best of my ability and I have looked on the Government website.  The letter says my DLA stops on 19 August 2025 and transfers to Scottish Adult DLA on 20 August 2025.  I'm a bit confused because on the Government website I think  it says it affects people born after April 1948.  I was born in January 1948. 

I have not made a new claim and I have not notified any changes.  I feel as if I'm not thinking "straight" and thought it also said (born in January 1948) I would be reassessed by the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.  I’m feeling a bit confused and worried. I have had a number of (unrelated) matters to deal with recently and I am struggling to cope.

Can anyone help me about the these 2 things I am unsure and worried about, please?

1.   I was born before the April 1948 date they state. I thought the Scottish Government website said the change would not affect me: I was born in January 1948 before the April 1948 date and have not notified any changes.

2.   If I have misunderstood, meaning I am wrong, will the transfer, even if I have not reported any changes, mean that I will have to be reassessed at some point by the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance system?

I can't find the letter but I am sure I received a letter some years ago (after I reached the then State Retirement Age – for me that was in January 2008) saying something like this: 

"That … I did not have to submit any more information, in the absence of any changes I would not need to be reassessed and my award was "Indefinite." I remember how reassuring that information felt.  Now I feel on edge again - like when (before State Retirement age)I always had to reapply on the long form with proof and medical details etc.

I'm sorry to be so stressed but it is something else to deal with and I'm already struggling a bit and not coping too well.  Please be understanding and thank you very much for any help.

Northern_Wanderer

Please don't worry. Your indefinite DLA award will move to SADLA as an indefinite award, you will get paid the same rates. You will not be reassessed unless you inform the DWP or Social Security Scotland of a change in circumstances to your care needs. Of course, if your condition has improved/ worsened, it's your responsibility to inform the relevent dept of a change in circumstances which would lead to a review of your claim. This ensures you are receiving the correct award, but may also mean you no longer qualify for the award.

Mum161111

Thank you very much, Northern_Wanderer.  I really appreciate the helpful information you gave and the reassurance.

I notified DLA five years ago when I moved into Local Council Sheltered Housing but my care needs did not change - I benefit from having much more security than before.  My. DLA continued and did not change.

sheramber

https://www.mygov.scot/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.

Mum161111

Thank you for replying, Sheramber.  At age 77 I would not be eligible for PIP and maybe most of the changes relate to applicants of working age.

teddysmum

They are doing the same  for people on AA, I believe, stating that people think that it is a payment for carers, because of the word 'attendance', so clarity, from a name change is necessary .You can't trust online news because AI combines true and false items in some replies to questions. Some online newspaper items, say that the same change is taking place , this year, in England and that experimental runs have been done, already, in some areas but others just mention Scotland, so we will have to wait and see.

Mum161111

The link sheramber provided goes to:  mygov.scot and gives a lot of information relevant to Scotland.  So many things are changing just now and there must be many others, like me, who have been struggling with it.

It helps having access to MSE forums and information given so freely from the many knowledgeable people who contribute.

I'm really thankful for it.

 

beanielou

As has been said it is just a straightforward transfer from from PIP to ADP which is the Scottish equivalent. Basically for you it's a paperwork exercise only so no need to worry.
Likewise at some point all people currenyly on Attendance Allowance willl transfer to the new older adult disability payment In Scotland.

Mum161111

Thank you, beanielou.

Northern_Wanderer

beanielou said:

As has been said it is just a straightforward transfer from from PIP to ADP which is the Scottish equivalent. Basically for you it's a paperwork exercise only so no need to worry.
Likewise at some point all people currenyly on Attendance Allowance willl transfer to the new older adult disability payment In Scotland.

This is incorrect. OP is not transferring from PIP to ADP. They are transferring from DLA to Scottish Adult DLA.

People on Attendance Allowance living in Scotland will move to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). I know the name changes are a pain but we shoud get them correct.

The OP would have the option to claim PADP instead if they had a change of circumstances and might be better off on that if they meet the criteria, but there is no mobility component in PADP. 

Mum161111

Thank you very much for clarifying this Northern_Wanderer.  I have never received PIP and my award has always been DLA.  I have no change of circumstances to report and would not want to claim PADP.