The age limit for disability living allowance (DLA) is to be raised to 18 for existing claimants from September, the Scottish government has announced.
The Scottish government takes over disability benefits in April of this year. They say that they want to spare families the stress of changing from DLA to PIP at the same time as young people may be going through a number of other changes in their life.
According to the Scottish government:
young people in Scotland who are getting DLA Child from the Department for Work and Pensions who are due to turn 16 from September will no longer be invited to apply for PIP.
from 2nd March 2020 Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will start writing to parents or carers of children in receipt of DLA Child informing them of the change.
clients who have already had a letter from DWP asking them to apply for PIP, will need to do this if they require continued support.
clients who receive this letter must reply to DWP. They must say whether their child will need an appointee to manage their benefit once they turn 16.
clients who wish to are still able to move from DLA Child to PIP by making an application to the DWP. People should seek independent advice on what would be best for their circumstances.
16 to 18 years old will continue to have the choice to apply to the DWP for PIP up until the Scottish Government launches it replacement for PIP early 2021.
Child Disability Payment is the new Social Security Scotland benefit which will replace Disability Living Allowance for children living in Scotland.
There is further information available on the Scottish government website.
