Blog: Pension Age Disability Payment pilot begins
From 21st October 2024, Pension Age Disability Payment will begin to replace Attendance Allowance in Scotland.
Pension Age Disability Benefit is for people of pension age who have a disability or long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe.
A pilot will be available to those making a new claim in Argyll & Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland council areas. More areas will join the pilot in March 2025, with the benefit becoming available across Scotland by the end of April 2025.
Existing Attendance Allowance claimants will be transferred to the new benefit during 2025 – you won’t need to reapply, and your payments won’t change.
If you already receive a ‘working age’ disability benefit, you won’t need to end this claim when you reach State Pension age and apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead.
If you are unsure about your situation or need further information and advice, please don’t hesitate to call our free helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
Use our free benefits calculator to check your entitlements online: age.scot/benefitscalculator.
Together with a coalition of 15 organisations, Age Scotland has also urged the Scottish Government to improve plans for Pension Age Disability Payment by including extra mobility and travel support for recipients.
We believe a mobility component would help safeguard older people’s independence and participation in society, enhance wellbeing, tackle social isolation and loneliness, and relieve pressure on frontline services, all while combatting poverty and low income challenges.
Read more here.
