Pension Age Disability Payment

Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. You do not need to do anything if you already get Attendance Allowance. You cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance or Adult Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance at the same time.

• Pension Age Disability Payment is not means tested, is tax free and is not affected by any income or savings you have.
• It is paid over and above whatever income you already have and can often increase your entitlement to any means tested benefits you may be entitled to.    
• You do not have to have someone looking after you to qualify as long as you can show that the help you need is reasonably required. 
• Pension Age Disability Payment is normally paid to the disabled person however if someone provides you with care, they may be able to claim Carer Support Payment for looking after you.   
• You have to wait 6 months from when your care needs began before you can get Pension Age Disability Payment unless you are terminally ill and satisfy special rules. If  this is the case, Pension Age Disability Payment can be paid straight away at the higher rate.  
• If you are under State Pension age and have care needs or mobility problems, you will not be able to get Pension Age Disability Payment but may be able to claim Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead. 

How to claim Pension Age Disability Payment

Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. You do not need to do anything if you already get Attendance Allowance. You cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance or Adult Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance at the same time.

You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment online.

Alternatively, you can contact the Social Security Scotland by phone on 0800 182 2222 to request a claim form. 

Social Security Scotland can also help you to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment. 

How much is Pension Age Disability Payment?

Pension Age Disability Payment is payable at two rates as follows:

Lower Rate - If you have day time needs only OR if you have night time needs only then you could get the lower rate of Pension Age Disability Payment This is £72.65 per week.  

Higher Rate - If you have both day time AND  night time needs or satisfy the special rules, you could get the higher rate of Pension Age Disability Payment This is £108.55 per week.  

Qualifying conditions

To qualify for Pension Age Disability Payment, you must satisfy one or both of the following day and/or night time conditions: 

What happens if I have been turned down for Pension Age Disability Payment?

If you have been turned down for Pension Age Disability Payment or if you have received a decision that you are not happy about, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again. This is called a redetermination.  If the decision is not revised in your favour, you can appeal against the decision.