Pensioners in Scotland with long-term health issues urged to claim new devolved benefit
New claims for Attendance Allowance have now been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment.
Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?
Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is now open for applications across Scotland, which means pensioners can no longer make a new claim for Attendance Allowance to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Social Security Scotland will administer and deliver PADP, which is the fifteenth devolved benefit to be delivered by the Scottish Government.
Pension Age Disability Payment is for disabled people or those with a long-term health condition which means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe. It is available to people of State Pension age and is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill.
The Scottish Government has said people currently getting Attendance Allowance do not need to take any action as the transfer from DWP to Social Security Scotland will happen automatically in phases throughout 2025. Everyone will continue to receive their payments on time and in the right amount, with no break in payments.
Commenting on the nationwide rollout last month, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: 'The national launch of Pension Age Disability Payment is an important milestone in the development of our social security system, that will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect. The pilot phases have allowed us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before rolling the benefit out across Scotland.
'It is vital older people who are disabled, terminally ill or those who have care needs get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and live with dignity.
'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 benefit reforms.'
Chief Executive at Age Scotland, Katherine Crawford said: 'Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital means of support for older people who have a disability or long-term health condition. With rising bills and cost of living stretching many beyond their means, it's vital that older people are not missing out on any financial support.
'If you are unsure of your eligibility or looking for support with an application, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222."
You can also use the Age Scotland benefits calculator to check eligibility for PADP and other benefits or discounts, full details here.
Lynda O'Neill, Project Manager at The Daffodil Club in Easterhouse, said "I know from working with older people with disabilities how costly it can be. I've helped people to apply for support and would encourage anyone who thinks they could be eligible or knows someone who could be eligible to apply.'
It's important to be aware that PADP is only available to people with a Scottish postcode and does not affect anyone on Attendance Allowance living in England or Wales.
Social Security Scotland also recently confirmed it has started transferring the awards of 169,000 existing claimants to the new benefit.
Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment
Guidance on mygov.scot provides full details on who can claim, how to claim, additional help available, what happens after a claim is submitted and extra support for successful claimants. Find out more here.
You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have both:
Reached State Pension age (66)
Had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition
You can still apply if:
You have not had care needs for 6 months or more - your award will begin 6 months from when your care needs started if your application is successful
You are waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis
You have a terminal illness - there is a separate fast-track application process if you're terminally ill
It's important to be aware you cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time. Existing claimants will automatically move to Pension Age Disability Payment - Social Security Scotland will do this and you will not have to do anything.
If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you do not need to do anything. Your benefit will move to the Social Security Scotland IT system.
Payment rates for Pension Age Disability Payment
Social Security Scotland will provide Pension Age Disability Payment at the same weekly rate as Attendance Allowance. It is also currently doing this for the devolved Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment.
The 2025/26 weekly payment rates are:
Lower rate - £73.90
Higher rate - £110.40
How do I apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment?
You can only apply for the new disability assistance benefit if you live in Scotland. Full details can be found online here.
Anyone over State Pension age with a disability that means they need assistance with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe, should continue to apply for Attendance Allowance through the DWP.
Get support making a claim from an independent advocate
Help is also available from the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, which is funded by the Scottish Government, to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits.
It provides a free, nationwide advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits.
If you need an advocate, you should:
contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222
ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service
Full contact details can be found here.
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