Pension Age Disability Payment | What is it and who is eligible?

Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is replacing Attendance Allowance for around 150,000 older people in Scotland.

What is Pension Age Disability Payment?

Pension Age Disability Payment is designed to help people aged 66 and over with a disability or long-term health condition who need extra assistance to keep them safe.

The benefit is designed to give additional financial support to people of State Pension age. The Scottish Government says that similarly to Attendance Allowance it will not include a mobility element.

People in England and Wales will continue to get Attendance Allowance.

How much is Pension Age Disability Payment in 2025?

The benefit will pay the same rates as Attendance Allowance.

Lower rate: £73.90. You must need frequent help during the day or supervision at night.

Higher rate: £110.40. You must require care in both the day and night.

People who are terminally ill will automatically get the higher rate.

How do I know if I am eligible?

The eligibility criteria for the new State Pension age disability payment is pretty much the same as the eligibility criteria for Attendance Allowance.

But the Scottish Government has pledged to improve the application process and the collection of information about the person’s disability to ensure that people entitled to the benefit receive it.

The eligibility criteria for Attendance Allowance is currently:

• The person claiming the benefit needs to be of State Pension age which is currently 66 for both men and women.
• They need to have had their health condition for six months or longer and need additional support such as help with getting washed and dressed.
• The person has a disability or illness. This includes dementia and mental health issues.

Under the current rules, you do not have to spend Attendance Allowance on care and it is up to you how you use the money.

How do I apply?

You can apply for the benefit by filling in a paper application or doing it online.

Face to face assessments

Similarly to the rollout of the Adult Disability Payment there will be no face to face assessments for this benefit.

The 32 local councils in Scotland will offer ‘dedicated support’ in a ‘person-centred approach’.

Gov.Scot says the application process will be inclusive and accessible.

People currently claiming Attendance Allowance

People who are currently in receipt of Attendance Allowance will be automatically transferred over to the new Pension Age Disability Payment. They will not need to make a new claim and there will be no interruption to payments.

Social Security Scotland will send you a letter notifying you about the transfer.

You will continue to be paid Attendance Allowance by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) until Social Security Scotland start to pay you. You cannot get both benefits at the same time.

What happens if I already get Adult Disability Payment?

If you are aged between 18 and 66 and have a disability or long-term mental or physical health condition that affects your everyday life, you can apply for Adult Disability Payment. The Adult Disability Payment has replaced Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in Scotland.

You will continue to receive Adult Disability Payment when you reach State Pension age. If you are already receiving Adult Disability Payment you will not transfer over to the new benefit.

If you already get Adult Disability Payment, you’ll stay on it when you reach State Pension age. You will not transfer to Pension Age Disability Payment.