There are three key dates for pensioners to take note of regarding the new disability benefit that is being introduced in Scotland.
Pensioners in five Scottish local authorities will be the first in the country eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment.
The Pension Age Disability Benefit is set to replace Attendance Allowance in Scotland.
The benefit is intended for people of state pension age who have a disability or long-term health condition which means they need help to look after themselves or supervision to keep safe.
Key dates:
From October 21, the Pension Age Disability Payment will be piloted in Argyll & Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland.
Those eligible will be automatically moved over from the DWP to Social Security Scotland
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The benefit will then become available in 13 more local authority areas on March 24, next year.
It will then be available across the whole of Scotland by April 22.
Currently there are over 150,000 people in Scotland who are receiving Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Those eligible will be automatically moved over from the DWP to Social Security Scotland – which means the do not need to do anything.
This will happen in phases, with the first expected to be transferred in early 2025.
The move from Attendance Allowance to Pension Age Disability Payment is designed to introduce a few improvements to the benefit.
These improvements include a streamlined process for people to nominate a third party representative who can support them to communicate with Social Security Scotland.
The payment is not means-tested, so is not dependent on income. It is worth between £290 and £434 a month depending on the needs of the person who gets it.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, the social justice secretary said: “In the midst of the cost of living crisis it is more important than ever that older people get the support they’re entitled to. We developed Pension Age Disability Payment by listening to the people who would be applying for it and those who support them.
“We made changes including making it easier for an eligible person to nominate a third party representative, something people told us was important for many older people.
“The pilot phase will allow us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before the benefit is rolled out across Scotland. If you think you might be eligible for support right now, I encourage you to apply for Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.
“Anyone getting that benefit will automatically have their award transferred to Pension Age Disability Payment next year so there is no reason to wait.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Pensioners in the following areas will be eligible from October 21, 2024:
Pension Age Disability Payment will be available in the following areas from March 24, 2025:
The payment will be available across all of Scotland on April 22, 2025.
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