Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced all new claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland.
Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?
Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) has now replaced all new claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland. People of State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or health condition could be eligible for either £73.90 (lower rate) if they need help during the day or at night or £110.40 (higher rate) 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 from Social Security Scotland show that the average process time – from point of application to decision award letter – is currently five working days.
This means people submitting a new claim this week could receive a letter or an email before next weekend. It’s important to be aware that as the devolved benefit is now available across Scotland, the processing timeframe will undoubtedly increase.
READ MORE: Pensioners in Scotland urged to get help claiming new devolved health paymentREAD MORE: DWP benefits and payments people can claim from State Pension age
It’s also worth noting that application times could be longer or shorter, due to complex cases. Insights from Social Security Scotland also shows the most common age of claimants is currently 75-79.
PADP is tax-free, not means-tested and will be paid at the same rates as its Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) counterpart, Attendance Allowance.
People who currently receive Attendance Allowance will be automatically moved from the DWP benefits platform to the Social Security Scotland system in stages throughout 2025.
The latest figures from the DWP show 150,000 people living in Scotland are currently in receipt of Attendance Allowance. Existing claimants do not need to apply for the devolved benefit as awards will be automatically transferred and there will be no breaks in payments during the transition.
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.
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.