Pensioners claiming new health benefit could get first payment before end of this month
Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?
The latest figures from Social Security Scotland show there were 1,875 people over 66 receiving Pension Age Disability Payments (PADP), the new devolved benefit that has now replaced all claims for Attendance Allowance north of the border.
People of State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or health condition could be eligible for the lower rate of £73.90 if they need help during the day or at night, or the higher rate of £110.40, if they need help during the day and at night, or if they are terminally ill.
For anyone thinking about making a new claim, the latest data indicates the average processing time - from point of application to decision award letter - is currently six working days. For those applying with a terminal illness it is one working day.
This means people submitting a new claim this week could receive a letter or an email before next weekend. However, it's important to be aware that complex cases may take longer and as awareness about the new benefit grows, that timeframe will undoubtedly increase.
Insights from Social Security Scotland also shows the most common age of claimants is currently over 75. It also reveals that of the 2,575 applications processed - with a decision made by April 30 - 77 per cent were authorised, 11 per cent were denied and 11 per cent were withdrawn.
Most successful applicants received the higher rate.
Of all authorised applications, 79 per cent were awarded the higher level of 110.40 per week and 21 per cent were awarded the lower level of £73.90 over the period to 30 April 2025.
Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP
The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP's Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also supports people with these conditions.
It's important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain
Arthritis
Spondylosis
Back Pain
Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
Trauma to Limbs
Visual Disorders and Diseases
Hearing Disorders
Heart Disease
Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
Asthma
Cystic Fibrosis
Cerebrovascular Disease
Peripheral vascular Disease
Epilepsy
Neurological Diseases
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinsons Disease
Motor Neurone Disease
Chronic Pain Syndromes
Diabetes Mellitus
Metabolic Disease
Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
Learning Difficulties
Psychosis
Psychoneurosis
Personality Disorder
Dementia
Behavioural Disorder
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Hyperkinetic Syndrome
Renal Disorders
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Bowel and Stomach Disease
Blood Disorders
Haemophilia
Multi System Disorders
Multiple Allergy Syndrome
Skin Disease
Malignant Disease
Severely Mentally impaired
Double Amputee
Deaf/Blind
Haemodialysis
Frailty
Total Parenteral Nutrition
AIDS
Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19
The Scottish Government said PADP has been designed with the help of people who will be eligible for the benefit and those who support them. Improvements include a streamlined process for people to nominate a third party representative who can support them to communicate with Social Security Scotland.
A fast-track process will be put in place for applicants diagnosed with a terminal illness. As already mentioned, this takes just one working day on average to process.
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 Social Security Scotland.
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 weekly payment rates for Attendance Allowance 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 it has opened in your area. You can check on the dedicated pages on mygov.scot 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP change to Universal Credit and PIP 'could put 50,000 people into poverty'
The Department for Work and Pensions are set to plunge tens of thousands of disabled and chronically-ill claimants into poverty by the end of the decade - 2030 Around 50,000 disabled and chronically-ill Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claimants will be pushed into poverty by the end of the decade because of cuts to incapacity benefit, it has been claimed. This comes despite Labour Party government ministers abandoning the majority of their welfare reform proposals, MPs have cautioned. Labour shifted to scrap some of the most contentious elements of its disability reforms following a parliamentary uprising. However, whilst all current Universal Credit claimants and fresh claimants with severe or terminal conditions are now safeguarded, from next year other claimants with restricted health capacity for work will witness monthly payments slashed from £423.27 to £217.26. This comes after the story broke of UK homes taking steps not seen for two years amid Rachel Reeves tax rise fears. The committee chair, Labour's Debbie Abrahams, said: "We welcome the concessions that the government made to the Universal Credit bill, but there are still issues with these welfare reforms, not least with the cut in financial support that newly sick and disabled people will receive." 50,000 people who claim the two DWP benefits from next April, 2026, after developing a health condition or becoming disabled will be plunged into poverty by 2030 as a result of cuts, claims Abrahams. "We recommend delaying the cuts to the Universal Credit health premium, especially given that other policies - such as additional NHS capacity, employment support, or changes in the labour market to support people to stay in work - have yet to materialise. "We agree in a reformed and sustainable welfare system, but we must ensure that the wellbeing of those who come into contact with it is protected. "The lesson learned from last month should be that the impact of policy changes to health-related benefits must be assessed prior to policy changes being implemented to avoid potential risks to claimants," added Abrahams. "We share the minister's concern about young people being trapped in economic inactivity before their working lives have even begun, but we do not see why this means they should lose entitlement to universal credit health," the report stated. A government spokesperson told Birmingham Live: "Our welfare reforms will support those who can work into jobs and ensure there is always a safety net for those that need it. The impact assessment shows our reforms will lift 50,000 children out of poverty – and our additional employment support will lift even more families out of poverty. "The reforms will rebalance Universal Credit rates to reduce the perverse incentives that trap people out of work, alongside genuinely helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into good, secure work – backed by £3.8bn in employment support over this parliament."
The Herald Scotland
14 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Calls for Scottish disability payment to be simplified
Led by charity leader Edel Harris, the review calls for automatic entitlement to the benefit in some cases. An independent review of the Scottish disability payment has called for the benefit to be simplified and made more accessible. The report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, found while the adult disability payment is more 'compassionate' than the UK benefit it replaced, some people still face barriers and distress when applying. Ms Harris welcomed several changes from the previous assessments carried out by the UK Department for Work and Pensions, but said there is more to be done to deliver a human rights-based approach to the benefit that delivers for disabled people. The chairwoman of the Adult Disability Payment Review made more than 50 recommendations to improve the service. They include embedding a 'trauma-informed, stigma-free' approach to assessments, simplifying the application process, improving communication from staff, and reviewing the eligibility criteria. The report recommends the application process is made easier for those with fluctuating conditions and mental health problems, and calls for welfare advice services to be sustainably funded. Ms Harris said: 'Adult disability payment has been described by many as a step-change – kinder in tone and more dignified in approach. 'But too often, disabled people still find the system difficult to navigate, time-consuming, and anxiety-inducing. 'I heard consistently that if we are to realise social security as an investment in people, it is important to ensure that the eligibility criteria fulfil this goal. 'This review highlights the importance of a system that is not only compassionate, but practical and accessible. 'The recommendations are based on real experiences and a shared commitment to making adult disability payment work better for everyone who needs it.' Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'The Scottish Government's approach to providing social security is a compassionate one, based on dignity, fairness and respect, and I am very encouraged to read the feedback from disabled people that this has been reflected in their positive interactions with Social Security Scotland. 'While the UK Government seeks to make cuts to the vital support disabled people rely on, I want to make clear that we will not cut adult disability payment. 'Instead, we will work to protect and enhance Scotland's social security system, improving on what we have achieved so far. 'I very much appreciate the comprehensive recommendations this report provides for how we can improve adult disability payment.' Ms Somerville said the Scottish Government will 'carefully consider all of the recommendations' in the report and provide its initial response by January next year.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- BBC News
Call to simplify Scottish disability benefits system
Access to Scotland's adult disability benefits should be made easier despite forecasts of a steep increase in claims and costs, an independent review has said.A report commissioned by ministers said the Adult Disability Payment was a "great foundation" which was "significantly more compassionate" than benefits on offer in the rest of the it said too many disabled people still found the system difficult to navigate, and said eligibility criteria should be it stands, the number of people claiming the payment is forecast to grow from 379,000 in 2024-25 to 703,000 in 2030-31. The cost is set to increase to over £5.4bn per year - a price Scottish ministers say they are willing to pay to have a more generous system. The Adult Disability Payment (ADP) was introduced in 2022, a cornerstone of the devolved social security agency which was being set is a regular payment to help people cover the added costs of having a disability or long-term health condition, regardless of whether they are in work or is essentially a replacement for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and 99% of cases have now been transferred from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to Social Security actual payments handed out are the same as PIP - a standard weekly award for daily living costs of £73.90, or an enhanced award of £ the review - conducted by Edel Harris, who has led a number of charity and care organisations - said the Scottish approach to assessments was "significantly more compassionate" than the DWP system it said it was "kinder in tone and more dignified in approach".And indeed fully a third of people now getting ADP are new applicants, who had not been in receipt of either PIP or the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).That is only set to grow. The number of people receiving ADP is forecast to surpass 700,000 by the end of the is more than 12% of the Scottish that is not such a large number when the last census suggested 24% of Scots had some form of disability or long-term health problem limiting their day-to-day it carries with it a huge financial spending on social security benefits in Scotland was £5.3bn in 2023-24. It is forecast to hit £7.7bn next year, and £9.4bn by is by far the biggest element of that figure - by 2030-31 it will cost £ context, that is more than ten times the price of the Scottish Child Payment, and more than 30 times the Scottish version of the winter fuel the gap between the ever-increasing cost of these benefits and the funding available in the block grant from Westminster is growing the end of the decade it will hit £2bn - money that Scottish ministers will need to find elsewhere in budgets by cutting from other departments or by increasing taxes. Ms Harris is keen for new applicants to continue to come forward, regardless of the report states that "there is evidence of the economic value of the wellbeing impacts of disability benefits, and these significantly outweigh the financial costs associated with administering them".She says that "not only should we continue to encourage people to apply for Adult Disability Payment, but we also need to make the application process as accessible and anxiety-reducing as possible".The report makes 50 recommendations about simplifying the system and making it easier for people to also argues that eligibility for the payment should be based on "the real life experience of clients and not just on a list of activities".At present, eligibility is based on specific things people might need help with. Examples include preparing food, eating and drinking, washing and bathing, getting dressed and communicating respondents told the review that "having to take the time to highlight issues and what you can't do is depressing, demoralising and unfair", and that "it feels like you're having to beg for help".Ms Harris recommended moving from this system to a bigger-picture approach based on outcomes and equal participation in society. The Scottish government says it will consider the report and set out its formal response in January in many ways they are singing from the same hymn sheet the UK government was endeavouring to restrict eligibility for disability payments - only to perform a series of climbdowns due to backbench revolts - Scottish ministers were very clear that they would not be making any Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has stated that she sees benefits as an investment in the people of that language is actually written into the legislation underpinning Social Security underlines the very different approaches taken by the Scottish and UK administrations, both of which are faced with a spiralling bill for working-age benefits at a time of tight budgets and weak UK government has sought to bring the number of claimants - and thus the cost of welfare - down, while maintaining the Chancellor's "fiscal rules" against increasing personal taxes or state say the existing system is broken and that it needs to be made sustainable for future generations, while prioritising those who need help the most. Generous system funded by higher taxes Scottish ministers' generosity will doubtless be popular - in particular with those receiving the payments - but we should not pretend that it was an easy choice to has been funded by higher taxes, with the Scottish system now featuring six different income tax bands which ask higher earners to contribute hundreds or even thousands of pounds more per year than if they lived down latest plan to balance the books involves reducing the public sector workforce by 0.5% per year for the next five Security Scotland itself has been singled out for "important efficiency savings", while health boards have also been asked to make 3% of that is based on the system as it currently stands, prior to consideration of Ms Harris's that is why ministers need another six months to decide how to respond - there is a difficult balancing act to be carried out here, and it will take place at the same time as the government is drawing up its next budget.
