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What is the difference between Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance?
What is the difference between Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance?
For many years, Attendance Allowance has been the main disability benefit for people whose disability starts, or reaches the point where they start to need care, after State Pension age (66). It is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions Attendance Allowance: Overview – GOV.UK
For people in Scotland this is gradually being replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment paid by Social Security Scotland Social Security Scotland – Benefits
If you live in Scotland and are making a new claim for a Pension Age disability benefit, the benefit you claim will depend on where you live. This Scottish Government information explains which benefit you should claim in your area Pension Age Disability Payment – mygov.scot
If you live in Scotland and currently receive Attendance Allowance, your claim will be transferred to Pension Age Disability Payment in 2025. Social Security Scotland will contact you about this, there will be no break in your payments, and you will not have to make a new claim.
About Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance
These benefits are not means tested, and can be claimed by people who are 66 or over who need care or supervision because of a disability. You can spend the money on whatever you choose.
They have two rates depending on whether you need help daytime, nighttime or both. They do not provide any assistance with mobility needs.
Benefit rates usually change each April. The weekly rates are
- Lower rate (daytime or nighttime) £72.65 (24/25) and £73.90 (25/26)
- Higer rate (both day and night) £108.55 (24/25) and £110.40 (26/26)
You cannot claim them if you already receive Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment or similar Armed Forces benefits. If you receive these benefits they will continue past State Pension age (66).
Receiving them may help you to qualify for means tested benefits such as Pension Credit, or an increase in your Pension Credit. You should have a benefit check to find out what you may be entitled to if your claim succeeds. You can use Age Scotland’s online benefit calculator here https://www.agescotland.org.uk/information-advice/cost-of-living/benefit-calculator or call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
Eligibility
You can claim them if you are 66 or over and:
- you have a physical disability, sensory, mental, learning or cognitive disability and
- your disability means that you need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
There are also qualifying rules about your immigration status, where you live and where you have been living for the past few years.
How to claim Attendance Allowance
Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Attendance Allowance helpline.
Tel: 0800 731 0122
Text: 0800 731 0317
They will then send you an information pack and claim form. It is important to include as much detailed information about your care needs as you can.
Attendance Allowance can be backdated to the date of your phone call if you return the claim pack within 6 weeks.
There are special rules about claiming Attendance Allowance if you are terminally ill Attendance Allowance: Claiming Attendance Allowance if you’re nearing the end of life – GOV.UK
How to claim Pension Age Disability Payment
The application form for Pension Age Disability Payment has 2 parts; the first asks for basic information about you, the second asks about how your health problems and disabilities affect your day-to-day life.
There are special rules about claiming Pension Age Disability Payment if you are terminally ill Pension-Age-Disability-Payment-terminal-illness-client-flyer-January-2025.pdf
Applying online
You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment online here Register or Sign in – Apply for disability benefits – Social Security Scotland. You will need to create a Scottish Government ‘my account’ if you don’t already have one.
In part 1 of the form, you will provide basic details such as your date of birth, national insurance number and bank account details. You have 14 days (2 weeks) to submit Part 1 of the form.
In Part 2, you need to explain how your disability or health condition affects your everyday life, and provide details of the medication and treatments you receive. You have 56 days (8 weeks) to submit part 2 of the form.
Applying by phone and on paper
You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment Payment over the phone by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 (8am-5pm weekdays) to start your application. If your first language is not English, then you can ask for an interpreter to help.
You will need to give them your basic details and part 1 of the form will be completed over the phone. Social Security Scotland will then post you Part 2 of the form. You have 56 days (8 weeks) to complete and return this form.
If you are a British Sign Language user, you can apply by contacting Social Security Scotland using the ContactScotland video relay here https://portal.socialsecurity.gov.scot/sgdashboard/startpage/register-or-sign-in
Help to apply
Social Security Scotland’s Local delivery service
The local delivery service can help you with your claim. An adviser can visit you at home or somewhere nearby. They can answer questions about Pension Age Disability Payment, help you to complete and submit forms and explain what kind of supporting information you need to provide. You can find out more details about the local delivery service here https://www.mygov.scot/if-you-need-help-from-social-security-scotland/local-delivery
VoiceAbility
VoiceAbility can provide free help if you are disabled and want advocacy support to help you through the claims (and appeals) process. You can contact VoiceAbility directly or ask for their help through Social Security Scotland.
Welfare rights advice
A welfare benefits adviser could help you to complete the application form and make sure you are applying for everything you are entitled to. You may be able to find a benefits adviser at:
- a council or housing association welfare benefits service
- your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau
- an adviser at a carer’s centre or GP practice
There might be other organisations with welfare rights advisers in your area; call us on 0300 323 9961 to find out what help is available.
Help from your local council
If you need care and support because of a disability, you can contact your local council (NHS Highland in Highland) to ask for a Care needs assessment. Call us on 0300 323 9961 to find out more.
Information last updated on 31st January 2025 Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.
We are grateful to the Scottish Government for funding this publication