Latest news with #RebeccaFagan
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Scottish pensioners with ongoing health issues could be due up to £110 every week
Pension Age Disability Payment is only available for older people with a Scottish postcode. Pensioners in Scotland are being urged to contact a charity for help claiming a new disability benefit, only available to people over 66 living north of the border. Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland and replaces all new claims for Attendance Allowance. Existing Attendance Allowance claimants will continue to receive payments of up to £441.60 every four-week payment period from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) until their award transfers to the devolved IT system before the end of this year. National advice agency Advice Direct Scotland said households should not be concerned by the switch from Attendance Allowance to PADP as there will be no break in payments of either £75.90 or £110.40 each week. However, any changes in circumstances should continue to be reported to DWP until the migration has been completed. The charity, which handles more than 900,000 inquiries a year, can help people of State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or health condition, make a new claim for PADP or answer queries on the move from Attendance Allowance. Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'This is essentially a rebranding of an existing benefit, in this case, Attendance Allowance. While the name and handling are changing, the support remains the same. 'We understand that these changes can cause concern for some people who fear they may lose out. It's crucial that older people who are disabled, terminally ill, or have care needs continue to receive the financial support necessary to maintain their well-being, safety, and dignity. 'The Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital source of assistance for those with long-term health conditions. With the rising cost of living and increasing bills, it's more important than ever that older people access all available financial aid. 'If you're uncertain about your eligibility or need help with an application, our team at is here to offer free, confidential support.' Pension Age Disability Payment is available to people of State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe. It is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill. It is the latest benefit to be managed by the Scottish Government through Social Security Scotland. Scots can check their eligibility and apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment on the website here. The team can be reached at 0808 800 9060, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, or through their website at Advice Direct Scotland also provides an online benefits calculator to help people assess their entitlement to both devolved and reserved benefits. You can check for unclaimed benefits or discounts here. New figures from Social Security Scotland show there were 1,875 people over 66 now receiving Pension Age Disability Payments. 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 weekend could receive a letter or an email at the start of next month. 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
08-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Warning for thousands of parents to claim summer holiday support worth up to £288
Read on to find out if you're eligible for the payments and how you can claim TAKE NOTE Warning for thousands of parents to claim summer holiday support worth up to £288 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of parents are being urged to check if they qualify for support over the summer holidays worth up to £288. Families living in Scotland could be eligible for extra payments over the school holidays to cover the cost of meals. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Households are being urged to check if they qualify for free school meals to receive the payments Credit: Getty Images - Getty Households that receive free school lunches during term time will automatically receive daily payments of £2.50 per child over the holidays. Advice Direct Scotland is urging households to check if they qualify for free school meals to avoid missing out on the payments. The national advice agency said that while exact holiday dates vary by council, a household with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 over the course of the six-week summer break. Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'It's crucial that families know about the support available to help provide healthy meals for their children. 'Many Scots are facing financial difficulties due to the cost-of-living and energy crises and will be worried about holiday-related expenses on top of rising bills. 'For families with children eligible for free school meals, payments are available throughout the summer, so we encourage anyone who might benefit to apply now. 'Remember, once your application is approved, payments will start promptly and will also be available during other school holidays." All children in P1 to P5 at schools run by local councils currently receive free school lunches during term time, regardless of their family circumstances. Children in P6 and above get free school meals only if they come from low-income households. The Scottish government continues to provide support to children if whose parents receive certain benefits over the summer holidays. Changes to UC & PIP payments in full as Labour reveals bruising welfare bill concessions in bid to quell rebellion Payments are set at £2.50 per day, per child, for each weekday during the holidays. Families will not receive the payments on weekends. However, some councils, such as Midlothian, offer higher rates of £4.20 per primary school pupil and £4.80 per secondary school pupil. It means summer payments will be around £75, £126, or £144 per child, depending on the rate and school stage. To qualify, people must be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit (where monthly earned income is not more than £850) Income Support Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Some families who receive Child Tax Credit may also be eligible, depending on their income. You can check with your council to see if you qualify. You can apply for the extra support straight away if you're due to start receiving one of these benefits during the summer holidays, even if you're not currently eligible. Applications can be made through councils or online at Advice Direct says the application form takes around 20 minutes to complete, and applicants will need the dates of birth of any children they have, their partner's details if applicable, and their bank details. Those unable to fill out the application can contact the team at for help by phone or online. What if I don't live in Scotland? If you live in England or Wales, there are other ways you can get financial help for your family over the summer holidays. Parents of children in England who receive benefits-related free school meals can get support through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF), which runs over the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays. It provides struggling families of children aged four and above with access to free childcare, activities and healthy meals. Who is eligible for benefits-related free school meals? Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals who is eligible for benefits-related free school meals. All state-school children in England in Reception, Year One and Year Two receive free school meals regardless of whether their parents receive benefits. This is through what's known as Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM), which has been in place since 2014. However, you can also claim free school meals for children aged up to 18 if you are on certain benefits, known as benefits-related free school meals. You need to be claiming at least one of the following: Universal Credit Child Tax Credit The 'guaranteed element' of Pension Credit Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Working Tax Credit (only in Scotland and Northern Ireland) Working Tax Credit run-on (only in England and Wales) If you are on Universal Credit or Tax Credits, you also have to meet other criteria. More information can be found on In England, you can apply for free school meals through your local council. Each local council in England is required to provide at least six weeks of support every year to all eligible children, which is split over each of the long school holidays. This allows eligible families to get at least four days of help over Easter, four days of help over Christmas, and four weeks of help over summer (or three if your child's break is shorter than six weeks). The HAF if not automatic, and you can apply through your local council. If you live in Wales, councils there give out vouchers, grants, or packed lunches to families eligible for free school meals. The support varies from area to area, so check with your local authority what help is on offer. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
08-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Warning for thousands of parents to claim summer holiday support worth up to £288
THOUSANDS of parents are being urged to check if they qualify for support over the summer holidays worth up to £288. Families living in Scotland could be eligible for extra payments over the school holidays to cover the cost of meals. 1 Households that receive free school lunches during term time will automatically receive daily payments of £2.50 per child over the holidays. Advice Direct Scotland is urging households to check if they qualify for free school meals to avoid missing out on the payments. The national advice agency said that while exact holiday dates vary by council, a household with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 over the course of the six-week summer break. Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'It's crucial that families know about the support available to help provide healthy meals for their children. 'Many Scots are facing financial difficulties due to the cost-of-living and energy crises and will be worried about holiday-related expenses on top of rising bills. 'For families with children eligible for free school meals, payments are available throughout the summer, so we encourage anyone who might benefit to apply now. 'Remember, once your application is approved, payments will start promptly and will also be available during other school holidays." All children in P1 to P5 at schools run by local councils currently receive free school lunches during term time, regardless of their family circumstances. Children in P6 and above get free school meals only if they come from low-income households. The Scottish government continues to provide support to children if whose parents receive certain benefits over the summer holidays. Changes to UC & PIP payments in full as Labour reveals bruising welfare bill concessions in bid to quell rebellion Payments are set at £2.50 per day, per child, for each weekday during the holidays. Families will not receive the payments on weekends. However, some councils, such as Midlothian, offer higher rates of £4.20 per primary school pupil and £4.80 per secondary school pupil. It means summer payments will be around £75, £126, or £144 per child, depending on the rate and school stage. To qualify, people must be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit (where monthly earned income is not more than £850) Income Support Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Some families who receive Child Tax Credit may also be eligible, depending on their income. You can check with your council to see if you qualify. You can apply for the extra support straight away if you're due to start receiving one of these benefits during the summer holidays, even if you're not currently eligible. Applications can be made through councils or online at Advice Direct says the application form takes around 20 minutes to complete, and applicants will need the dates of birth of any children they have, their partner's details if applicable, and their bank details. Those unable to fill out the application can contact the team at for help by phone or online. What if I don't live in Scotland? If you live in England or Wales, there are other ways you can get financial help for your family over the summer holidays. Parents of children in England who receive benefits-related free school meals can get support through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF), which runs over the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays. It provides struggling families of children aged four and above with access to free childcare, activities and healthy meals. Who is eligible for benefits-related free school meals? Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals who is eligible for benefits-related free school meals. All state-school children in England in Reception, Year One and Year Two receive free school meals regardless of whether their parents receive benefits. This is through what's known as Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM), which has been in place since 2014. However, you can also claim free school meals for children aged up to 18 if you are on certain benefits, known as benefits-related free school meals. You need to be claiming at least one of the following: Universal Credit Child Tax Credit The 'guaranteed element' of Pension Credit Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Working Tax Credit (only in Scotland and Northern Ireland) Working Tax Credit run-on (only in England and Wales) If you are on Universal Credit or Tax Credits, you also have to meet other criteria. More information can be found on In England, you can apply for free school meals through your local council. Each local council in England is required to provide at least six weeks of support every year to all eligible children, which is split over each of the long school holidays. This allows eligible families to get at least four days of help over Easter, four days of help over Christmas, and four weeks of help over summer (or three if your child's break is shorter than six weeks). The HAF if not automatic, and you can apply through your local council. If you live in Wales, councils there give out vouchers, grants, or packed lunches to families eligible for free school meals. The support varies from area to area, so check with your local authority what help is on offer. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
Daily Record
07-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Families urged to check for school meals support during the summer holidays
Households with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 over the school holidays this summer. How to apply for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours childcare Families across Scotland are being urged to check their eligibility for free school meal support over the summer holidays. Local authorities support eligible families to access food during school holiday periods, including food vouchers and direct payments to families. The Scottish Government provides local councils with a total of £21.75 million annually to fund this provision. Households normally eligible for free school meals during term time should automatically start receiving payments of £2.50 or £4.80 per day, per child, during the holidays, depending on the child's age and where they live. National advice agency Advice Direct Scotland has calculated that a household with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 to help cover meal costs over the course of the six-week summer break. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth recently said: 'Schools breaking up for summer provides families with opportunities to rest, enjoy quality time together and prepare for the academic year ahead, but we know the holiday periods can also be a time of increased financial pressure for families. 'Scotland is currently the only part of the UK with holiday free school meal provision, which is an important strand of our work towards eradicating child poverty. The Scottish Government provides more than £21 million annually to support local councils to continue free meal provision for those families that need it most. 'I urge anyone who may have become newly eligible to check their eligibility status with their local authority and apply as soon as possible.' Parents who have not yet applied for free school meals, or who might start claiming benefits over the holidays due to a change in circumstances, are being urged to take action now to access additional financial support. All children in P1 to P5 at schools run by local councils currently receive free school lunches during term time, regardless of their family circumstances. Children in P6 and above continue to qualify only if they come from low-income households. Over the summer and other holidays, support is available to those who normally receive free school meals. Payments are set at £2.50 per day, per child, for each weekday during the holidays, excluding weekends. However, some councils, such as Midlothian, offer higher rates of £4.20 per primary school pupil and £4.80 per secondary school pupil. This means summer payments will be around £75, £126, or £144 per child, depending on the rate and school stage. Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'It is crucial that families know about the support available to help provide healthy meals for their children. Many Scots are facing financial difficulties due to the cost-of-living and energy crises and will be worried about holiday-related expenses on top of rising bills. 'For families with children eligible for free school meals, payments are available throughout the summer, so we encourage anyone who might benefit to apply now. Remember, once your application is approved, payments will start promptly and will also be available during other school holidays. 'If you're unsure about your eligibility or need help applying, our team at offers free, confidential support to everyone, regardless of personal circumstances.' How to qualify for free school meals To qualify, people must be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit (where monthly earned income is not more than £850) Income Support Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 People who are not currently eligible but start receiving one of the above benefits during the summer holidays can apply for the extra support immediately. Applications can be made through councils or online at Those unable to fill out the application can contact the team at for help, over the phone or online. The form takes around 20 minutes to complete. Applicants will need the dates of birth of any children they have, their partner's details if applicable, and their bank details. provides free, practical advice and information on any topic, including access to benefits and whether households are claiming all the support they are entitled to. The team can be contacted on 0808 800 9060, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Families urged to check school meal support before start of summer holidays
Households with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 over the school holidays this summer. How to apply for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours childcare Families across Scotland are being urged to check their eligibility for free school meal support ahead of the summer holidays. Local authorities support eligible families to access food during school holiday periods, including food vouchers and direct payments to families. The Scottish Government provides local councils with a total of £21.75 million annually to fund this provision. Households normally eligible for free school meals during term time should automatically start receiving payments of £2.50 or £4.80 per day, per child, during the holidays, depending on the child's age and where they live. While exact holiday dates vary by council, national advice agency Advice Direct Scotland calculated that a household with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 to help cover meal costs over the course of the six-week summer break. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: 'Schools breaking up for summer provides families with opportunities to rest, enjoy quality time together and prepare for the academic year ahead, but we know the holiday periods can also be a time of increased financial pressure for families. 'Scotland is currently the only part of the UK with holiday free school meal provision, which is an important strand of our work towards eradicating child poverty. The Scottish Government provides more than £21 million annually to support local councils to continue free meal provision for those families that need it most. 'As we approach the summer break, I urge anyone who may have become newly eligible to check their eligibility status with their local authority and apply as soon as possible.' Parents who have not yet applied for free school meals, or who might start claiming benefits over the holidays due to a change in circumstances, are being urged to take action now. All children in P1 to P5 at schools run by local councils currently receive free school lunches during term time, regardless of their family circumstances. Children in P6 and above continue to qualify only if they come from low-income households. Over the summer and other holidays, support is available to those who normally receive free school meals. Payments are set at £2.50 per day, per child, for each weekday during the holidays, excluding weekends. However, some councils, such as Midlothian, offer higher rates of £4.20 per primary school pupil and £4.80 per secondary school pupil. This means summer payments will be around £75, £126, or £144 per child, depending on the rate and school stage. Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'With the summer holidays approaching fast, it's crucial that families know about the support available to help provide healthy meals for their children. Many Scots are facing financial difficulties due to the cost-of-living and energy crises and will be worried about holiday-related expenses on top of rising bills. 'For families with children eligible for free school meals, payments are available throughout the summer, so we encourage anyone who might benefit to apply now. Remember, once your application is approved, payments will start promptly and will also be available during other school holidays. 'If you're unsure about your eligibility or need help applying, our team at offers free, confidential support to everyone, regardless of personal circumstances.' How to qualify for free school meals To qualify, people must be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit (where monthly earned income is not more than £850) Income Support Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 People who are not currently eligible but start receiving one of the above benefits during the summer holidays can apply for the extra support immediately. Applications can be made through councils or online at Those unable to fill out the application can contact the team at for help, over the phone or online. The form takes around 20 minutes to complete. Applicants will need the dates of birth of any children they have, their partner's details if applicable, and their bank details. provides free, practical advice and information on any topic, including access to benefits and whether households are claiming all the support they are entitled to. The team can be contacted on 0808 800 9060, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
