Older people claiming new health benefit could get payment decision in one week (2025)

The majority of new applicants for Pension Age Disability Payment are aged 75 or over.

New figures from Social Security Scotland show at the end of January, some 915 new applications for Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) have been processed since it launched at the end of October, 2024. Of these, 78 per cent were authorised, 9 per cent were denied and 13 per cent were withdrawn.

People over State Pension age living in 17 council areas across Scotland can now make a claim for the new devolved disability benefit that will gradually replace Attendance Allowance for those over 66 living north of the border only.

PADP will become available nationwide across Scotland for pensioners with a disability, long-term health condition or terminal illness from April 22.

Insights from Social Security Scotland show the most common age of claimants is currently 75-79 and current application processing time is five working days.

This will increase now the benefit has become available in more areas, but if you or someone you know lives in any of the 17 pilot areas (listed below), it’s worthwhile noting a new claim submitted before the end of this week, could be processed and and a payment decision issued by next week.

However, it's important to be aware complex cases and increased application numbers could see the end-to-end journey time increase.

PADP is tax-free, not means-tested and will be paid at the same rates as its Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) counterpart. This means it will be 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.

People who currently receive Attendance Allowance will be automatically moved from the DWP benefits platform to the Social Security Scotland system. This will happen in phases, with the first benefit awards expected to be transferred in the Spring.

The latest figures from the DWP show 169,000 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 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.

A fast-track process will be put in place for applicants diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Pension Age Disability Payment rollout timetable

Available to claim now for people living in:

• Argyll and Bute
• Highland
• Aberdeen City
• Orkney
• Shetland
• 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 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 (rising to £73.90 in April)
• Higher rate - £108.55 (rising to £110.40 in April)

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.