Make sure you or an older family member are not missing out on extra support through Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment.Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?

The latest figures from the Scottish Government indicate around 850,000 people in Scotland are living with some form of hearing loss and of those, 70 per cent are over 70 – some 595,000.

Across Great Britain, there are believed to be 12 million adults living with a hearing impairment or deafness, however, just over 40,200 of them are receiving extra financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP).

PADP is a devolved payment that has now replaced all new claims for Attendance Allowance north of the border. The benefit is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland and not the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – full details on MYGOV.SCOT.

READ MORE: Pensioners urged to check for unclaimed benefit worth up to £5,740 this yearREAD MORE: Attendance Allowance claim form tips to help pensioners boost income by £441 each month

More than 9,900 people over State Pension age are now receiving either £73.90 for the lower rate, or £110.40 for the higher rate of Attendance Allowance each week for a hearing condition. Payments are typically made every four weeks, which amounts to either £296.60 or £441.60 per pay period.

There are 15 main hearing conditions being supported through these three disability benefits, but this is not a definitive list as the benefit supports an ever-evolving list of conditions.

If you, or someone you know, below State Pension age (66) has a hearing condition, you should consider making a new claim for PIP or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) – find out more here.

If you, or someone you know is 66 or over, and living with a hearing impairment, you should consider making a claim for Attendance Allowance or PADP. Attendance Allowance is currently supporting more than 1.7 million people in England and Wales while PADP supports over 135,000 pensioners in Scotland.

Attendance Allowance and PADP are designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses and can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer.

It’s important to be aware that unlike PIP or ADP, there is no mobility component for Attendance Allowance or PADP, these benefits only provides support for the extra cost of daily living.

Number of Attendance Allowance claimants for hearing impairments, February 2025:

Scotland: 920 (existing claimants have now moved to PADP)England: 8,250Wales: 738Living Abroad: 27Total: 9,929Hearing conditions

These are common hearing issues being supported through disability benefits, but if your condition is not listed, it doesn’t mean it’s not supported and may fall under the ‘unknown’ category.

Conductive hearing lossChronic secretory otitis mediaChronic suppurative otitis mediaConductive hearing loss – Other causes / type not knownConductive hearing loss due to TraumaMastoiditisOtitis externa – chronicOtosclerosisSensorineural hearing lossDeafness – congenitalLabyrinthitisMenieres diseasePresbyacusisSensorineural hearing loss – Other causes / type not knownSensorineural hearing loss due to TraumaOther hearing conditionsMixed hearing lossOther diseases affecting hearing and balance

Below is an overview of the benefit and how to make a new claim to DWP. Full details about claiming Attendance Allowance can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

The guidance can also help someone decide whether they should apply for PADP, full details on how to claim from Social Security Scotland can be found here.

What is Attendance Allowance and PADP?

Attendance Allowance and PADP help with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself – it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to claim.

Who can make a claim?

You should consider applying for Attendance Allowance or PADP if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you do not currently get that help.

This might include:

Help with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toiletHelp to stay safe

You should also consider applying if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on.

Attendance Allowance and PADP are not just for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also consider claiming if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

a mental health conditionlearning difficultiesa sensory condition – if you are deaf or blindHow much could I get on Attendance Allowance or PADP?

You could get either £73.90 or £110.40 per week depending on the level of care you need because of your condition, which is paid every four weeks and works out at £296.60 and £441.60 respectively.

You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.

This might include:

paying for taxishelping towards billspaying for a cleaner or gardenerCan I claim even if I have savings and other income?

Yes. Attendance Allowance and PADP are not means-tested so it doesn’t matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either – there’s no limit.

It’s tax-free and you’ll be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won’t have money taken away from any other benefits.

Will Attendance Allowance or PADP affect my State Pension?

No, it won’t affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you’re still working and earning money.

How does Attendance Allowance or PADP impact other benefits?

The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance or PADP, these include:

Extra Pension CreditHousing Benefit ReductionCouncil Tax Reduction

You can check your State Pension age on the GOV.UK website here.

How do I make a claim?

You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance from DWP. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don’t let the form put you off applying.

If you’d prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here.

Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Full details on how to claim PADP and how to get additional support with your application, can be found here.

What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?

If you’re thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance or PADP when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming PIP or ADP straight away.

Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?

You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you have a Scottish postcode – you need to claim PADP from Social Security Scotland – full details here.

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