More than one million Scottish residents over the State Pension age will be able to receive two new devolved benefits beginning before the end of the year.
Scottish Government Introduces New Heating Payment for Elderly Residents
The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) will be worth up to £300 per person and will replace the yearly Winter Fuel Payment now provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Under PAWHP, everyone in Scotland who is currently eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment will continue to get the same level of support, but will be funded by Social Security Scotland. The Scottish Government stated that this payment will remain non-means tested and tax-free.
The payment guidance has yet to be confirmed, however a recent consultation revealed that the amount received will be determined by the individual's home circumstances and age. The suggested payment rates for individuals are £100, £150, £200, or £300, with a typical household of two receiving £200 or £300 in total.
Pension Age Disability Payment
Pension Age Disability Payment will be substituting for Attendance Allowance as part of a phased experimental launch for new claimants beginning in Autumn 2024, with a statewide rollout in Spring 2025.
The eligibility and payment rates will remain the same as those from the DWP. Pension Age Disability Payment will be valued either £72.65 or £108.55 per week - £290.60 or £434.20 every four-week pay period - and is intended to assist older persons with significant daily living expenditures in remaining in their own homes for extended periods of time.
Some 140,716 people in Scotland who already receive DWP Attendance Allowance will not need to apply for the new benefit, since it will be moved automatically in phases to the Social Security Scotland IT system.
Social Security Scotland stated that it will make decisions concerning eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment based on the applicant's account of their situation and existing supporting information.
Face-to-face assessments will not be conducted; examples of supporting information include:
- An occupational therapy assessment.
- A district nurse report.
- Information from a partner.
Social Security Scotland further stated that it will "assume responsibility, where necessary, for gathering information from various sources suggested by the individual."
Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment
The benefit will be available to individuals who match the following criteria:
- Individuals who have reached the State Pension age and over.
- People who have had their condition for at least six months.
- People who need more care.
Guidance from Gov.Scot states: “It is anticipated that eligibility rules for Pension Age Disability Payment will remain broadly similar to Attendance Allowance.”
It also states: “It is our intention that the rate of all forms of disability assistance will remain the same as the current rate of the equivalent UK disability benefit. The rate of assistance will increase in line with inflation each year.”
By the end of 2025, around 700,000 people will have migrated from DWP systems to the new Scottish welfare system, including those receiving Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Carer's Allowance.
Payment Rates for Pension Age Disability Payment
Social Security Scotland will offer Pension Age Disability Payment at the same weekly rate as Attendance Allowance. It is also doing this with the devolved Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment.
The current weekly rates for Attendance Allowance are:
- Lower rate: £72.65.
- Higher rate: £108.55.
How can I apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment?
You can't apply for the new disability support benefit yet.
Anyone over the State Pension age who has a handicap that requires assistance with self-care or supervision to keep them safe should continue to apply for Attendance Allowance through the DWP.
Visit the webpage here to get the most recent updates on Social Security Scotland's new Disability Assistance programme.