Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance will be a ‘like-for-like’ closed benefit for existing claimants. The Scottish Government recently announced plans for Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (Scottish Adult DLA), a new ‘closed’ benefit to provide continued support for tens of thousands of adults with a disability or long-term health condition. However, it’s important to be aware that the benefit will not be open to new claimants.
Under the proposals, eligible people who currently receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will have their award transferred automatically to the new Scottish benefit where they will then have the opportunity to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP). Social Security Scotland will administer the new Scottish Adult DLA and cases will start to transfer from the DWP in Spring 2025, according to new guidance on the mygov.scot website .
Legislation to create the ‘closed’ benefit will be laid in the Scottish Parliament before the end of this year. The latest figures from the DWP show that in November 2023 there were 76,910 people on DLA living in Scotland. The new Scottish benefit will be introduced on a ‘like-for-like’ basis, with claimants’ benefit components, rates and review periods being upheld by Social Security Scotland , ensuring the transfer will be straightforward for those affected.
Some 172,954 people in Scotland currently receiving Personal Independence Pay.