Over 66,000 Scots to be moved to new benefit replacing Disability Living Allowance

More than 66,000 adults in Scotland who currently receive the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are set to be moved to a new benefit.

The Scottish Government is replacing the DLA for adults with a new benefit which will be paid by Social Security Scotland instead of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Work is underway to move the benefits over to the new system by the end of the year.

The Scottish Government has said that there will be no gaps in payments or reductions in the support people get because of the transfer.

Cabinet secretary for social justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am pleased work has begun to transfer the benefit awards of every adult in Scotland currently getting DLA to our new benefit.

“I want to reassure people affected that their payments will transfer safely and securely, with no gaps or reductions to the support they receive.”

Somerville added: “The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone gets the financial support they’re entitled to and this has not changed following the UK Government’s announcement on welfare.”

People getting DLA do not need to do anything, as the transfer will happen automatically.

Social Security Scotland will send letters to let people know when their benefit is being moved and another when the move is complete. The transfer process will take four to eight weeks.

Scottish Adult DLA was introduced to provide support for adults who were still getting DLA on March 21, 2025. Like DLA for adults, it is not open to new applications.