A new disability benefit, known as the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), has been introduced to provide support for pensioners in Scotland. Available to individuals aged 66 and older, this benefit offers financial assistance to those facing long-term health issues, disabilities, or illnesses that affect their daily lives.
Administered by Social Security Scotland, the PADP replaces Attendance Allowance for new claimants, offering weekly payments of up to £110. According to Daily Record, the new system is part of an effort to streamline support and ensure that pensioners can continue to receive assistance while adapting to the new benefits framework.
A Smooth Transition from Attendance Allowance to PADP
Pensioners currently receiving Attendance Allowance will continue to get their payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) until their awards transfer to the new Scottish IT system. The transition will not result in any payment interruptions, with amounts ranging from £75.90 to £110.40 each week, depending on the level of support needed.
However, claimants are advised to report any changes in their circumstances to the DWP until the migration is fully completed.
Existing Attendance Allowance claimants will continue to receive payments of up to £441.60 every four-week payment period until their award is transferred to the devolved system before the end of this year.
Support for Claimants from Advice Direct Scotland
The charity Advice Direct Scotland is providing essential help to pensioners who need assistance with their claims. With over 900,000 inquiries handled annually, the organization offers free, confidential support to older people with disabilities or health conditions, helping them claim PADP or answer queries regarding the transition from Attendance Allowance.
Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said:
This is essentially a rebranding of an existing benefit, in this case, Attendance Allowance. While the name and handling are changing, the support remains the same.
We understand that these changes can cause concern for some people who fear they may lose out. It’s crucial that older people who are disabled, terminally ill, or have care needs continue to receive the financial support necessary to maintain their well-being, safety, and dignity.
The Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital source of assistance for those with long-term health conditions. With the rising cost of living and increasing bills, it’s more important than ever that older people access all available financial aid.
If you’re uncertain about your eligibility or need help with an application, our team at advice.scot is here to offer free, confidential support.”
Eligibility and Payment Details
The Pension Age Disability Payment is available to those of State Pension age who require help with personal care or supervision for safety reasons. The benefit also covers pensioners who are terminally ill. The amount awarded depends on the level of care needed.
Individuals may receive the lower rate of £73.90 if assistance is required during the day or night, or the higher rate of £110.40 if help is needed both day and night, or if they are terminally ill.
Recent Data on Claims
As of recent data from Social Security Scotland, over 1,875 people aged 66 and above are already receiving the Pension Age Disability Payment. Among the 2,575 applications processed by the end of April 2025, 77% were approved, with 79% of these recipients receiving the higher payment of £110.40.
The average processing time for claims is six working days, with those applying due to a terminal illness receiving a decision within just one day.
However, complex cases may take longer, and as awareness about this new benefit grows, the processing time is expected to increase.
