Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced all new claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland.

The latest figures from Social Security Scotland show there were 1,875 people over 66 receiving Pension Age Disability Payments (PADP), the new devolved benefit that has now replaced all claims for Attendance Allowance north of the border.

People of State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or health condition could be eligible for the lower rate of £73.90 if they need help during the day or at night, or the higher rate of £110.40, if they need help during the day and at night, or if they are terminally ill.

For anyone thinking about making a new claim, the latest data indicates the average processing time – from point of application to decision award letter – is currently six working days. For those applying with a terminal illness it is one working day.

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This means people submitting a new claim this week could receive a letter or an email before next weekend. However, it’s important to be aware that complex cases may take longer and as awareness about the new benefit grows, that timeframe will undoubtedly increase.

Insights from Social Security Scotland also shows the most common age of claimants is currently over 75. It also reveals that of the 2,575 applications processed – with a decision made by April 30 – 77 per cent were authorised, 11 per cent were denied and 11 per cent were withdrawn.

Most successful applicants received the higher rate.

Of all authorised applications, 79 per cent were awarded the higher level of 110.40 per week and 21 per cent were awarded the lower level of £73.90 over the period to 30 April 2025.

Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP

The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also supports people with these conditions.

It’s important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.

Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great BritainArthritisSpondylosisBack PainDisease Of The Muscles, Bones or JointsTrauma to LimbsVisual Disorders and DiseasesHearing DisordersHeart DiseaseRespiratory Disorders and DiseasesAsthmaCystic FibrosisCerebrovascular DiseasePeripheral vascular DiseaseEpilepsyNeurological DiseasesMultiple SclerosisParkinsons DiseaseMotor Neurone DiseaseChronic Pain SyndromesDiabetes MellitusMetabolic DiseaseTraumatic Paraplegia/TetraplegiaMajor Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/TetraplegiaLearning DifficultiesPsychosisPsychoneurosisPersonality DisorderDementiaBehavioural DisorderAlcohol and Drug AbuseHyperkinetic SyndromeRenal DisordersInflammatory Bowel DiseaseBowel and Stomach DiseaseBlood DisordersHaemophiliaMulti System DisordersMultiple Allergy SyndromeSkin DiseaseMalignant DiseaseSeverely Mentally impairedDouble AmputeeDeaf/BlindHaemodialysisFrailtyTotal Parenteral NutritionAIDSInfectious diseases: Viral disease – Coronavirus covid-19

The Scottish Government said PADP has been designed with the help of people who will be eligible for the benefit and those who support them. Improvements include a streamlined process for people to nominate a third party representative who can support them to communicate with Social Security Scotland.

A fast-track process will be put in place for applicants diagnosed with a terminal illness. As already mentioned, this takes just one working day on average to process.

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 successfulYou are waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosisYou have a terminal illness – there is a separate fast-track application process if you’re terminally ill

It’s important to be aware 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 Pension Age Disability Payment

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 weekly payment rates for Attendance Allowance are:

Lower rate – £73.90Higher rate – £110.40How 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 2222ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service

Full contact details can be found here.

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