Pension Age Disability Payment

Overview

Pension Age Disability Payment is the Scottish benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care, supervision, or watching over because of a physical disability, mental health condition, or long-term illness. Administered by Social Security Scotland, it replaced Attendance Allowance for new Scottish claimants from April 2025, with existing Attendance Allowance awards being transferred across in phases. The benefit is paid at two weekly rates: the lower rate for those needing help during the day or at night, and the higher rate for those needing help at both times or who are terminally ill. It is not means-tested, so income, savings, and employment status do not affect entitlement, and the payment is tax-free. Receiving Pension Age Disability Payment can increase entitlement to other means-tested support such as Pension Credit, and it can open up eligibility for a carer to claim Carer Support Payment. Social Security Scotland uses its own application and assessment process and typically requires supporting information from the claimant and any health professionals involved in their care. Individual eligibility and rate are determined by Social Security Scotland. This page references figures and criteria from the primary mygov.scot source; the authoritative source for any individual award remains Social Security Scotland.

Applies in Scotland. Administered by Social Security Scotland. This page is general information; contact Social Security Scotland for your individual circumstances.

Rates

Eligibility criteria include

• AGE
  Applicant must have reached State Pension age. ^{[Scottish Government]}
• DISABILITY
  Applicant must have care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition. Applications are still accepted if the 6-month threshold has not yet been met; in that case an award begins 6 months from when care needs started if successful. ^{[Scottish Government]}
• DISABILITY
  Applicants with a terminal illness automatically receive the higher rate and there is a separate fast-track application process. ^{[Scottish Government]}
• INCOME
  Pension Age Disability Payment is not means-tested. Income and savings are not taken into account and will not affect any award. ^{[Scottish Government]}
• RESIDENCE
  Applicants living in Scotland are eligible. Applicants who do not live in Scotland may apply if they live in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or Gibraltar and have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland. ^{[Scottish Government]}
• OTHER
  Applicants cannot receive Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time. ^{[Scottish Government]}
• OTHER
  Applicants who already receive Adult Disability Payment will remain on it when they reach State Pension age and will not transfer to Pension Age Disability Payment. ^{[Scottish Government]}
• DISABILITY
  Applicants can still apply even if they are waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis. ^{[Scottish Government]}
• HOUSING STATUS
  Applicants living in a care home can apply only if they pay all their own care costs. Those whose care is funded by a local council cannot usually get the payment; they may apply but will only receive it if they leave the care home. ^{[Scottish Government]}

Sources