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Disability Living Allowance Update: Key Changes for 2026 (Scotland and Cross-Border Moves)
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
January 23, 2026
If you receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), it’s completely understandable to feel confused by updates about Scotland, benefit transfers, and new benefit names appearing online.
Here is the most important thing to understand straight away:
Disability Living Allowance itself is not changing again in 2026.
What has changed — and what continues to cause confusion — is how disability benefits now work in Scotland, and what happens if you move permanently between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
This guide focuses first on DLA, then clearly explains how Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, PIP, Adult Disability Payment and Carer’s Allowance fit around it when someone moves to Scotland.
At a glance
- DLA is a legacy benefit and does not accept new adult claims anywhere in the UK.
- In Scotland, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance has replaced adult DLA and only applies through transfer.
- In Scotland, Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced Attendance Allowance.
- In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment has replaced PIP.
- In 2026, the biggest risk arises when someone moves permanently to Scotland without taking the required steps.
- After a cross-border move, people usually need to apply for or request the correct Scottish replacement benefit.
- Run-on payments often continue, commonly for up to 13 weeks, to reduce gaps.
In this article
- What changed for 2026
- Moving to Scotland checklist
- What to do next by benefit
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
- Backdating and timing rules
- Frequently asked questions
- Final thoughts
What changed for 2026
What’s already happened, what hasn’t, and what actually affects you now.
Disability Living Allowance is a legacy benefit. This means:
- Adults cannot make new DLA claims
- Most adults receive PIP (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) instead
- DLA for children still exists across the UK
In Scotland, existing adult DLA awards were transferred away from the DWP to Social Security Scotland through managed case transfer.
If you already live in Scotland and receive DLA, your award should already be under the Scottish system.
Official source: MyGov.Scot – Your benefit is moving to Social Security Scotland
Purpl Insight: Most searches for “DLA update 2026” are driven by uncertainty rather than new policy. If you have not moved and your circumstances have not changed, your DLA is usually already settled.
Moving to Scotland checklist
The steps that matter most if you move permanently.
Moving to Scotland is where most confusion — and most payment problems — occur.
If you receive DLA and move permanently to Scotland from England, Wales or Northern Ireland, your DLA does not simply continue indefinitely without action.
You must:
- Report the move to the DWP (or the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland)
- Follow the Scottish process to put the correct replacement benefit in place
A run-on period usually applies, giving you time to do this before payments stop.
Checklist
- Report the move
Tell the current paying department about your new address. - Check which benefit you receive
DLA, PIP, Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance. - Ask about run-on payments
Most benefits continue for a short period to give you time to apply in Scotland. - Apply for or request the Scottish replacement benefit
Do this as soon as you have a Scottish address — do not wait for payments to stop. - Keep basic records
Dates, reference numbers and copies of letters. - If something stops unexpectedly
Check letters first, then contact both the paying department and Social Security Scotland.
Purpl Tip: Reporting your address change alone does not start the Scottish benefit. Step 4 is the one most often missed.
What to do next by benefit
Which Scottish benefit replaces what, and when you need to apply.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
If you already live in Scotland and receive DLA, you usually do not need to take action unless you move or your circumstances change.
If you move permanently to Scotland, you may need to request Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance instead of making a new claim.
Official source: MyGov.Scot – Requesting a Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance award
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
If you receive PIP and move to Scotland, you must apply for Adult Disability Payment after the move.
Official source: MyGov.Scot – Moving from PIP to Adult Disability Payment
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance no longer exists in Scotland. It has been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment.
If you move to Scotland while receiving Attendance Allowance, you must apply for PADP, and if you already get Attendance Allowance in Scotland, you do not need to apply because the award transfers to PADP automatically.
Official source: MyGov.Scot – Moving to Pension Age Disability Payment
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance usually continues for 13 weeks after a move to Scotland, after which Carer Support Payment applies.
Source: MyGov.Scot – Moving to Carer Support Payment
Purpl Insight: Each benefit has its own replacement route. Assuming they all transfer automatically is a common cause of payment gaps.
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
Why it exists, who it protects, and who can access it.
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance exists to protect people who were already receiving adult DLA and have a qualifying connection to Scotland.
It is:
- Closed to new claims
- Transfer-only
- Managed by Social Security Scotland
Being told you cannot make a new DLA claim in Scotland is correct and not an error.
Official source: MyGov.Scot – Requesting a Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance award
Backdating and timing rules
When backdating applies, and when it doesn’t.
When you move permanently to Scotland, your existing benefit may run on for a short period, often up to 13 weeks.
If there is a gap between your old benefit ending and the Scottish benefit being awarded, backdating may be possible — but only if timing rules are met.
In simple terms:
- Backdating is not automatic
- You must apply or make a request within the allowed time window
- You must be awarded the Scottish benefit
Cross-border regulations allow a defined window — commonly up to 26 weeks from the date you move — to make the application or request.
Purpl Tip: Treat backdating as a safety net, not a guarantee. Applying early is the safest option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Disability Living Allowance changing again in 2026?
No. Disability Living Allowance itself is not changing again in 2026. Most confusion comes from how disability benefits are now run in Scotland and what happens when someone moves there.
Do I need to do anything if I already live in Scotland and receive DLA?
In most cases, no. If you already live in Scotland and your DLA award was due to transfer, this should already have happened. You usually only need to act if you move into Scotland from elsewhere in the UK or your circumstances change.
What happens to my DLA if I move to Scotland permanently?
If you move permanently to Scotland, your DLA does not continue without action. You must report the move and follow the Scottish process to ensure the correct replacement benefit is in place. A short run-on period usually applies to give you time to do this.
Will my DLA stop as soon as I move to Scotland?
No. In most cases, payments continue for a limited period, often up to 13 weeks. This is designed to give you time to apply for or request the Scottish replacement benefit.
Can I make a new adult DLA claim in Scotland?
No. Adult DLA is closed across the UK. Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance exists only to protect people who were already receiving DLA and cannot be newly claimed.
Is Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance the same as Adult Disability Payment?
No. Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance is transfer-only for people already on DLA. Adult Disability Payment is the Scottish replacement for PIP and is used for most new working-age disability claims.
Will moving to Scotland automatically trigger a reassessment?
Moving alone does not usually trigger a reassessment. However, you may still need to make a new application or request to ensure the correct Scottish benefit is in place.
What happens if I miss the backdating window?
If you apply outside the allowed time window, backdating is much less likely, even if you would otherwise qualify. This is why applying as soon as possible after a move is strongly recommended.
Does this affect DLA for children?
DLA for children exists in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland it’s Child Disability Payment.
What causes the biggest problems for people in 2026?
Payment gaps are most commonly caused by moving to Scotland and not starting the Scottish replacement benefit process quickly enough.
Final thoughts
In 2026, Disability Living Allowance is stable. The confusion comes from how Scotland now runs disability benefits and what happens when people move across borders.
If you already live in Scotland and receive a legacy DLA award, the position is usually already settled. If a move is planned, acting early and following the Scottish process is what protects income.
About the Author
Georgina is the founder of Purpl, a platform dedicated to helping disabled people save money through exclusive discounts. Living with both Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ADHD, she understands firsthand the financial challenges that often come with managing a disability. Because of this, her mission is to collaborate with brands to secure discounts that help ease the cost of essential products, services, and everyday expenses for the disabled community.
As an ambulatory wheelchair user, Georgina also knows how it feels to lose a sense of independence due to a disability. For that reason, she’s deeply passionate about using holistic therapies and diet to manage inflammation and stay as healthy as possible. Ultimately, her goal is to make Purpl a trusted, go-to resource for disabled people — one that provides not only discounts but also practical advice, emotional support, and genuine financial relief.
Beyond Purpl, Georgina has a long-term vision to launch a foundation that will offer grants and funding for disabled people who need additional financial support. Through this, she hopes to create lasting change, empowering others to live with dignity, confidence, and choice.
Follow @Purpldiscounts on social media for the latest disability discounts, financial advice, and accessibility resources.
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