Attendance Allowance payment day could change for nearly 147,000 pensioners

Linda Howard
·5-min read

The Scottish Government has confirmed that pensioners on Attendance Allowance will start moving to a new devolved benefit from this week. Nearly 147,000 existing claimants will automatically transfer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) and the Social Security Scotland benefits system by the end of this year.

New guidance on mygov.scot explains that from the end of February, Attendance Allowance awards will start transferring in stages to PADP. There will be no break in payments of either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate), however, after the move the benefit “might be paid one working day later than your Attendance Allowance”.

READ MORE: More than 1.6 million pensioners due up to £1,362 each month from April

READ MORE: Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for all people over State Pension age in Scotland

Attendance Allowance is paid every four weeks, on the same day, and while PADP will follow the same payment pattern, the change just means it may be the next day. If you’re moving to PADP in the first phase of the migration process from this week, this could mean your payment could be a day later next month.

Guidance on mygov.scot explains: “Your Pension Age Disability Payment might be paid one working day later than your Attendance Allowance. If this is the case, we'll let you know in advance so you can make any necessary financial plans.”

The latest DWP statistics show there are currently 146,287 existing Attendance Allowance claimants in Scotland.

The guidance states that your award will move to Pension Age Disability Payment if you:

  • Already get Attendance Allowance from the DWP

  • Live in Scotland

You do not need to do anything to start the move to Pension Age Disability Payment, or make a claim for the devolved benefit.

When your Attendance Allowance will move

The move will happen in stages. It will not happen to everyone at the same time and will take until the end of 2025 to move everyone's benefit across.

How long your move will take

When your benefit starts moving, it will take 8 to 12 weeks to complete the move to Pension Age Disability Payment.

Full details on the move can be found on mygov.scot here.

New claims for PADP

Older people living in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland can apply online, over the phone or by post for Pension Age Disability Payment. The benefit will become available in 13 more local authority areas from March 24 before rolling out nationwide across Scotland by the end of April.

Pension Age Disability Benefit follows the same eligibility rules as Attendance Allowance and is worth either £72.65 (lower rate) if you need help during the day or at night or £108.55 (higher rate) if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill.

PADP rollout timetable

Available to clim for people living in:

  • Argyll and Bute

  • Highland

  • Aberdeen City

  • Orkney

  • Shetland

From March 24, 2025:

  • Aberdeenshire

  • East Ayrshire

  • North Ayrshire

  • South Ayrshire

  • Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)

  • Stirling

  • Clackmannanshire

  • Falkirk

  • Fife

  • Angus

  • Dundee City

  • Perth & Kinross

  • Moray

From April 22, 2025:

  • Nationwide rollout across Scotland

Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment

Guidance on mygov.scot provides full details on who can claim, how to claim, additional help available, what happens after a claim is submitted and extra support for successful claimants. Find out more here.

You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have both:

  • Reached State Pension age (66)

  • Had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition

You can still apply if:

  • You have not had care needs for 6 months or more - your award will begin 6 months from when your care needs started if your application is successful

  • You are waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis

  • You have a terminal illness - there is a separate fast-track application process if you’re terminally ill

It's important to be aware that you cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time. Existing claimants will automatically move to Pension Age Disability Payment - Social Security Scotland will do this and you will not have to do anything.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you do not need to do anything. Your benefit will move to Social Security Scotland.

Payment rates for PADP

Social Security Scotland will provide Pension Age Disability Payment at the same weekly rate as Attendance Allowance. It is also currently doing this for the devolved Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment.

The current weekly payment rates for Attendance Allowance are:

  • Lower rate - £72.65 (rising to £73.90 i April)

  • Higher rate - £108.55 (rising to £110.40 in April)

How do I apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment?

You can only apply for the new disability assistance benefit if it has opened in your area. You can check on the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here.

Anyone over State Pension age with a disability that means they need assistance with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe, should continue to apply for Attendance Allowance through the DWP.

Get support making a claim from an independent advocate

Help is also available from the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, which is funded by the Scottish Government, to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits.

It provides a free, nationwide advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits.

If you need an advocate, you should:

  • contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222

  • ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service

Full contact details can be found here.

Latest stories