The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to replace Attendance Allowance with the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) in 13 additional areas of Scotland starting 24 March 2025.
This transition is part of a broader shift in benefit administration from the UK government to Social Security Scotland, which has been gradually taking over certain disability and pension-related benefits.
According to BirminghamMail, the change will affect thousands of recipients who currently rely on Attendance Allowance, though the eligibility criteria and payment structure will remain the same. While the reform is largely administrative, it marks another step in the devolution of Scotland’s welfare system, aiming to streamline support for older disabled individuals.
What Is Changing?
The Attendance Allowance is a benefit designed for individuals over the state pension age who require assistance due to a disability or medical condition. The replacement benefit, Pension Age Disability Payment, offers the same financial support but will be administered by Social Security Scotland instead of the DWP.
The change is part of a devolution process, where Scotland is taking control over certain social security payments. The transition began in January 2025, and the new benefit was made available for new applicants from October 2023.
Those currently receiving Attendance Allowance will be automatically transferred to the new system and will not need to take any action.
Payment Amounts and Future Increases
The Pension Age Disability Payment maintains the same financial structure as the Attendance Allowance :
- Lower rate: £72.65 per week
- Higher rate: £108.55 per week (for those requiring assistance both day and night)
These rates are not means-tested, meaning income and savings do not affect eligibility. Individuals who are terminally ill will automatically receive the higher rate.
Additionally, payment amounts will increase from 7 April 2025, although the specific new figures have not yet been confirmed.
Areas Affected by the Transition
The Pension Age Disability Payment has already replaced Attendance Allowance in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney, and Shetland. As of 24 March 2025, it will expand to:
- Aberdeenshire
- East Ayrshire
- North Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
- Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)
- Stirling
- Clackmannanshire
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Angus
- Dundee City
- Perth & Kinross
- Moray
From 22 April 2025, the benefit will be available across all of Scotland.
What This Means for Current Beneficiaries
Individuals who are already receiving Attendance Allowance do not need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment separately. The transition will happen automatically, and beneficiaries will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland explaining the changes.
Until the transition is complete, the DWP will continue paying Attendance Allowance, ensuring that recipients do not experience any disruption in payments.
Those who receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) do not need to take any action either, as their benefit will also be transferred to Social Security Scotland.
Key Administrative Change
One significant difference between Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment is that Social Security Scotland has introduced a new support mechanism: beneficiaries can nominate someone to assist them with their claims if needed.
Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, emphasised the importance of the transition for ensuring financial stability for older disabled individuals.
“As people continue to face a cost of living crisis, it is more important than ever that older disabled people across Scotland get all the financial support they are entitled to.”
She also highlighted that the changes were developed by listening to older disabled people and the DWP, leading to improvements such as easier access to third-party support.
