Latest news with #PensionAgeDisabilityPayments
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Older people with health issues could boost State Pension by up to £5,740 this year
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment are tax-free benefits worth either £73.90 or £110.40 each week. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of August 2024, nearly 1.7 million older people were claiming Attendance Allowance, including 150,000 living in Scotland. The tax-free benefit is not means-tested and worth either £73.90 for the lower rate or £110.40 for the higher rate each week. Attendance Allowance is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period - some £5,740.80 over the current financial year. How much someone receives depends on the level of support needed and the benefit is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses which can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer. It's important to be aware there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance. Attendance Allowance changes in Scotland Older people living in Scotland can no longer claim Attendance Allowance and instead, need to claim the new devolved benefit, Pension Age Disability Payment. New figures from Social Security Scotland show some 1,875 people over 66 were receiving Pension Age Disability Payments at the end of April. The benefit follows the same eligibility criteria and payment award scale as DWP, but is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland. Full details on the benefit can be found on here. Number of Attendance Allowance claimants - August 2024 The number of older people receiving payments includes: Scotland - 149,997 England - 1,406,281 Wales - 110,047 Living abroad - 5,912 Total - 1,672,590 Support for people with health conditions The benefit supports people with a disability, long-term illness and mental or physical health issues. The list of conditions supported through Attendance Allowance is long, but the most common disabling condition - an umbrella term used by the DWP - is arthritis, which provides support for 483,376 people across Great Britain, including 44,455 in Scotland. It's important to note that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, 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 on the website here. The figures below show the percentage of people claiming for health issues related to these 48 conditions: Arthritis - 47% Spondylosis - 48% Back Pain - Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified - 43% Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints - 40% Trauma to Limbs - 36% Visual Disorders and Diseases - 41% Hearing Disorders - 42% Heart Disease - 50% Respiratory Disorders and Diseases - 33% Asthma - 47% Cystic Fibrosis - 27% Cerebrovascular Disease - 42% Peripheral vascular Disease - 41% Epilepsy - 44% Neurological Diseases - 50% Multiple Sclerosis - 52% Parkinsons - 30% Motor Neurone Disease - 32% Chronic Pain Syndromes - 39% Diabetes Mellitus - 39% Metabolic Disease - 38% Traumatic Paraplegia - 54% Major Trauma Other than Traumatic/Paraplegia - 45% Learning Difficulties - 48% Psychosis - 44% Psychoneurosis - 38% Personality Disorder - 48% Dementia - 20% Behavioral Disorder - 28% Alcohol and Drug Abuse - 37% Hyperkinetic Syndrome - 27% Renal Disorders - 26% Inflammatory Bowel Disease - 42% Bowel and Stomach Disease - 37% Blood Disorders - 39% Haemophilia - 39% Multi System Disorders - 41% Multiple Allergy Syndrome - 44% Skin Disease - 37% Malignant Disease - 35% Haemodialysis - 22% Frailty - 100% AIDS - 47% Coronavirus covid-19 - 1% Viral disease - precise diagnosis not specified - 13% Tuberculosis - 53% Bacterial disease - precise diagnosis not specified - 43% Cognitive disorder (other) - 22% It's important to note there are special rules for people with a terminal illness, to help speed up their application - full details on here. Below is everything you need to know about Attendance Allowance including the main health conditions being claimed, eligibility and how to make a claim. What is Attendance Allowance? Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim. Who can claim? You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you don't currently get that help. This might include: Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet Help to stay safe You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't just for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have: a mental health condition learning difficulties a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired Attendance Allowance help to claim Attendance Allowance claims simplified Up to £5,750 for Scots pensioners Claim form tips to help you get support Health conditions paying up to £441 How much could I get on Attendance Allowance? You could receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. This amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period. You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer. This might include: paying for taxis helping towards bills paying for a cleaner or gardener Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income? Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits. Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension? No, it won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money. How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits? The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include: Extra Pension Credit Housing Benefit Reduction Council Tax Reduction How do I make a claim? You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don't let the form put you off applying. If you'd prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the website here. What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age? If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money. Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance? You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you have a Scottish postcode. You need to claim Pension Age Disability Payment through Social Security Scotland - full details here. You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead. You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead. here.
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Pensioners claiming new health benefit could get payment decision in six days
Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced all new claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? New 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 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 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 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.
Scottish Sun
21-04-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of Scots can apply for new benefit worth £5.7k from TOMORROW – check if you're eligible
Read on to find out how to apply HELPING HAND Thousands of Scots can apply for new benefit worth £5.7k from TOMORROW – check if you're eligible THOUSANDS of Scots can apply for a new benefit worth more than £5,000 starting tomorrow. Pension Age Disability Payment helps disabled people cover care costs and is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. 1 Pension Age Disability Payment helps disabled people cover care costs Credit: Alamy While those already claiming Attendance Allowance will automatically be transferred to the new support, an estimated one million people are missing out on the outgoing benefit. The monthly payment is split into two rates, depending on the level of care which is required. It's paid at two different rates, lower and higher. The amount you get depends on your care needs. The lower rate is £73.90 a week and is for people who need help or supervision during the day or night - £3,842.80 a year in total. The higher rate is £110.40 a week and is for people who need help or supervision during the day and night - £5,740.80 a year in total. If you're terminally ill, you'll automatically get the higher rate. Who is eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment? To be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payments, you must meet certain criteria, including: Be of state pension age (66) or over Have a disability or health condition (you can still apply if you're waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis) Have required care for at least six months (you can also apply before this point, as payments will begin six months from when successful applicants' care needs started) If you live in a care home and your care is funded by the local authority, you are unlikely to be eligible. However, if your care is privately funded, you may still apply How to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment From tomorrow, April 22, anyone who believes they are eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment can apply - either online or via the post. How to protect your pension and Inheritance from the new Budget Postal applications can be started by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. There is a separate fast-track application process for those who are terminally ill. If you already receive Attendance Allowance, you do not need to apply as you will automatically be moved to Pension Age Disability Payments. There are two parts to the application form. You will need certain information to hand to complete each part and must submit these within two weeks and eight weeks respectively, or contact Social Security Scotland if you need more time. A loved one or carer can also help you complete the application form. What support is available for carers? If you look after a loved one, you could also be entitled to help from the Government. Carer Support Payment is the main benefit available to carers living in Scotland, and comes in the form of monthly payments. From this month, Carer Support Payments are rising from £81.90 to £83.30 a week - £4331.60 a year in total. To be eligible for Carer Support Payment, you must meet a number of requirements. You can check if you're eligible using Mobilise's free claim checker tool. If you're entitled to Carer Support Payment, you can apply online, by phone, by post, or in person. For more guidance on the financial support available to people with care needs and unpaid carers, care experts are on hand to help via the Mobilise website.
