Pension Age Disability Payment for disabled people and those with a long-term health condition to help them look after themselves, or supervision to stay safe, is now open for applications across Scotland.
The Pension Age Disability Payment is available to people of State Pension age and is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill.
The national rollout follows successful pilots in 18 local authority areas, which began in October 2024.
It is the fifteenth benefit to be delivered by the Scottish Government and it is replacing the UK Government’s Attendance Allowance, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions.
People currently getting Attendance Allowance do not need to take any action; the transfer will happen automatically in phases throughout 2025. Everyone will continue to receive their payments on time and in the right amount.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The national launch of Pension Age Disability Payment is an important milestone in the development of our social security system, that will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.
“The pilot phases have allowed us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before rolling the benefit out across Scotland.
“It is vital older people who are disabled, terminally ill or those who have care needs get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and live with dignity.
“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone gets the financial support they’re entitled to and this has not changed following the UK Government’s announcement on benefit reforms.”
Chief Executive at Age Scotland, Katherine Crawford said: “Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital means of support for older people who have a disability or long-term health condition.
“With rising bills and cost of living stretching many beyond their means, it’s vital that older people are not missing out on any financial support.
Lynda O’Neill, Project Manager at The Daffodil Club in Easterhouse, said “I know from working with older people with disabilities how costly it can be. I’ve helped people to apply for support and would encourage anyone who thinks they could be eligible or knows someone who could be eligible to apply.”
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced a dedicated advisory board, support for unpaid carers, and enshrining care home residents’ rights to see loved ones are at the heart of revised plans for Scotland’s National Care Service.
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