Approximately 66,000 individuals across Scotland are set to receive their final Disability Living Allowance (DLA) payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in December 2025.
What is Changing for Disability Benefit Recipients?
The final payment marks a significant shift in how disability benefits are administered in Scotland. Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance is officially replacing the DWP-administered benefit for everyone living north of the border.
This change is part of a wider transfer of welfare powers to the Scottish Parliament. The new benefit, paid by Social Security Scotland, is designed to provide financial assistance to help meet the additional costs of living with a disability or long-term health condition.
Automatic Transfer and Important Deadlines
The move to the new Scottish Adult DLA is happening automatically, and the UK government department states that the process will be completed by the end of 2025. Social Security Scotland has confirmed that everyone will continue to receive their payments in the correct amount and that there will be no gap in their entitlement.
However, authorities are urging anyone who is still receiving DLA for adults from the DWP and has not yet received a letter about their transfer to contact Social Security Scotland immediately.
Social Security Scotland stated: "Everyone in Scotland who is getting DLA for adults should now either have had their benefit award transferred to Scottish Adult DLA OR have received a letter from us telling them that their transfer is in progress."
Key Information for Claimants
While the transfer is underway, there are some important procedural points for claimants to note. People should continue to report any change in their circumstances to the DWP until they receive confirmation that their benefit has fully transferred to the Scottish system.
Social Security Scotland will send a letter to confirm when the transfer is complete. One potential change for some recipients is that their payment may arrive one working day later than their previous DLA payment date. The agency has pledged to inform affected clients in advance if this will be the case for them.
It is crucial to understand that Scottish Adult DLA is not open for new applications. It was specifically designed to ensure the safe and secure transfer of adults born on or before 8 April 1948 who were receiving DLA from the DWP.
