New Scottish benefit for pensioners

Published 21 October 2024

Pension Age Disability Payment launches in pilot locations

A new disability benefit for people of State Pension age opens today for new applications from people living in five local authority areas.  

Pension Age Disability Payment is the 15th benefit administered by Social Security Scotland. It is for people of State Pension age and over who are disabled or have a long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe; or are terminally ill 

People who live in Argyll & Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland can now apply. The payment will be available across Scotland by 22 April next year. 

It is not means-tested and is worth between £290 and £434 a month depending on the needs of the person who gets it.  

Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland, which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). People do not need to apply separately as their award will automatically be moved to Social Security Scotland, starting early 2025. 

There is a separate fast-track application process for people who are terminally ill and eligible people will be entitled to the higher rate of payment regardless of how long they have had a terminal illness. 

BACKGROUND 

More information about Pension Age Disability Payment including who is eligible and how to apply can be found at: mygov.scot/pensiondisability  

Pension Age Disability Payment will be available in the following areas from 24 March 2025: 

  • Aberdeenshire 
  • East Ayrshire 
  • North Ayrshire 
  • South Ayrshire 
  • Na h-Eileanan Siar 
  • Stirling 
  • Clackmannanshire 
  • Falkirk 
  • Fife 
  • Angus 
  • Dundee City 
  • Perth & Kinross 
  • Moray 

On 22 April, 2025, it will be available across all of Scotland. 

Social Security Scotland can help people apply, with face to face support available from its teams based in communities across the country. 

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. 

Social Security Scotland also has a separate, accelerated application process for people who are terminally ill. This is open to any eligible person who has a terminal diagnosis, no matter how long they’re expected to live. This is different to the DWP who only class someone as terminally ill if they are expected to live for 12 months or less. Eligible people will automatically get the highest amount of Pension Age Disability Payment. 

https://www.gov.scot/news/new-scottish-benefit-for-pensioners

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