People over State Pension age living in five council areas can now claim a new disability benefit which is set to replace Attendance Allowance in Scotland by the end of next year. Older people living in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland can apply online, over the phone or by post for Pension Age Disability Payment.
The devolved benefit will become available in 13 more local authority areas in March next year before rolling out nationwide across Scotland by April, 2025. Pension Age Disability Benefit follow the same eligibility rules as Attendance Allowance and is worth either £72.65 (lower rate) if you need help during the day or at night or £108.55 (higher rate) if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill.
New guidance on mygov.scot explains that if you live in Scotland and already get Attendance Allowance, you do not need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment. Social Security Scotland will take over administration and delivery of payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The guidance states that Social Security Scotland will:
- Move you to Pension Age Disability Payment without you having to do anything in 2025
- Send you a letter telling you what will happen when you transfer
It also advises: “The DWP will continue to pay you Attendance Allowance until Social Security Scotland starts to pay you. You do not need to contact DWP to have your benefit stopped.”
If you already get Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
If you already get ADP, you will stay on it when you reach State Pension age and will not transfer to Pension Age Disability Payment.
The latest figures from the DWP show nearly 144,000 people living in Scotland are currently in receipt of Attendance Allowance.
The Scottish Government said Pension Age Disability Payment 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.
Existing claimants with any change in circumstances should continue to report them to the DWP until they have transferred to Social Security Scotland. You can do that on GOV.UK here.
Pension Age Disability Payment rollout timetable
Available to clim for people living in:
- Argyll and Bute
- Highland
- Aberdeen City
- Orkney
- Shetland
From March 24, 2025:
- Aberdeenshire
- East Ayrshire
- North Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
- Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)
- Stirling
- Clackmannanshire
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Angus
- Dundee City
- Perth & Kinross
- Moray
From April 22, 2025:
- Nationwide rollout across Scotland
Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment
New 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 that 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 current weekly payment rates for Attendance Allowance are:
-
Lower rate – £72.65
-
Higher rate – £108.55
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.