The benefit for pensioners with health issues has now been replaced by a devolved payment.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for all people over State Pension age in Scotland
Claims for Attendance Allowance have now been replaced by a devolved payment for all new claimants living in Scotland. All existing Attendance Allowance claimants will transfer automatically from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in stages to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) before the end of this year.
In a new update, DWP said: “New claims for Pension Age Disability Payment can now be made across the whole of Scotland. Pension Age Disability Payment is the Scottish Government’s replacement for DWP’s Attendance Allowance for eligible customers living in Scotland.”
DWP continued: “All eligible customers living in Scotland will now make a new claim to Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance. Customers living in Scotland and already receiving Attendance Allowance do not need to take any action. They will have their claims transferred to Pension Age Disability Payment by the end of 2025.”
READ MORE: Older people urged to get help claiming new Pension Age Disability Payment worth up to £441 a monthREAD MORE: Pensioners on Attendance Allowance may be able to boost current payments by £146 a month
The payment is only available to people with a Scottish postcode and does not affect anyone on Attendance Allowance living in England or Wales.
Social Security Scotland also confirmed it has started transferring the awards of 169,000 existing claimants to the new benefit.
PADP is for disabled older people or those with a long-term health condition which means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe in heir own home.
It is only available to people of State Pension age and is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill.
PADP is not means-tested and now worth between £295 and £441 every four-week payment period depending on the needs of the person who gets it.
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 the Social Security Scotland IT system.
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 2025/26 weekly payment rates 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.
