What is Pension Age Disability Payment?

Pension Age Disability Payment is a benefit for adults of State Pension age or over who live in Scotland. It's to help with the extra costs of being disabled or having a long-term health condition.

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Pension Age Disability Payment is paid by Social Security Scotland. It replaces Attendance Allowance in Scotland.

To get Pension Age Disability Payment, you must be of State Pension age or over and have a long-term health condition or disability that means you need help or supervision - even if you don’t currently get that help.

A long-term health condition or disability includes: a physical disability or health condition; a mental health condition; learning difficulties; a sensory condition - for example, if you're deaf or blind; a condition that affects your brain or memory - for example, dementia; difficulties with personal tasks - for example, if they take you a long time; you experience pain or you need physical help or a terminal illness.

You might need help or supervision with your personal care - for example, getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet, to stay safe or during the day or at night, or both.

You must have had care or supervision needs because of your disability or illness for at least 26 weeks before your Pension Age Disability Payment can start - unless you have a terminal illness. But you don’t need to have a formal diagnosis.

If you have not yet had care or supervision needs for at least 26 weeks, you can still apply.

If you meet all the other conditions, you'll get the payment from the date when the 26 weeks have passed. In most cases, you must also live in Scotland.

Q. How do I apply for Pension Age Disability Payment?

A. You can apply: online - by completing an application form on mygov.scot; by post - you can phone Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, to ask for a paper form with a pre-paid envelope; face to face - an adviser from Social Security Scotland's local delivery service can help you apply.