About Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment
Attendance Allowance is a non-means tested benefit for people aged 66 or over who need help with their personal care because of a physical, mental or cognitive disability. It is paid at two rates depending on whether you need help daytime, night-time or both.
There are special rules about Attendance Allowance if you are terminally ill Attendance Allowance: How to claim – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you already receive Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment.
Attendance Allowance does not provide any assistance with mobility needs.
Receiving Attendance Allowance 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 Benefit Calculator (agescotland.org.uk) or call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
Attendance Allowance is one of the benefits that is being devolved to Scotland; from October 2024 some people will need to claim Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance. You can find information about Pension Age Disability Payment and when you can claim it in your area here New disability benefit for pensioners – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
If you already receive Attendance Allowance you will automatically be moved on to Pension Age Disability Payment; the transfer process will start in early 2025.
Eligibility
You can get Attendance Allowance 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
You must also:
- be in Great Britain when you claim – there are some exceptions such as members and family members of the Armed Forces
- have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years
- be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
- not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)
There are some exceptions to these conditions depending on where you live.
When Pension Age Disability Payment is introduced most of the rules will be the same as for Attendance Allowance, but rules about how long you need to have lived in Scotland to qualify, and the rules about terminal illness, will be different.
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 self-assessment 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.
If you do not agree with the decision about your Attendance Allowance get advice from a specialist welfare benefits adviser.
When Pension Age Disability Payment is introduced you will claim it from Social Security Scotland Social Security Scotland – Homepage
Useful Contacts
Tel: 0808 800 9060
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Attendance Allowance
Tel: 0800 731 0317
Text: 0800 731 0122
Age Scotland
Information last updated on 2 September 2024. 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.
If you would like this information guide in another version then please contact us and we will post or email you a copy.
Money, Benefits and Grants:Frequently Asked Questions
Through our helpline we receive enquiries spanning a wide range of different topics. Here is a selection of those most asked:
Can I get a reduction of Vehicle Excise Duty?
If you are disabled you may be entitled to a reduction or exemption of vehicle tax. The vehicle must be registered in your name or a specific driver’s name and must only be used for your personal needs.
You can apply for exemption if you get the:
- higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment – mygov.scot
- War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment standard rate mobility component Adult Disability Payment – mygov.scot
You can find out more here Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What help is there with energy costs?
Energy costs used to be a worry in winter but now bills can be a challenge all year round.
The good news is there are different grants and schemes available to help people improve the heating in their homes and keep heating costs down.
Home Energy Scotland is a free energy advice service funded by the Scottish Government to help people save money and keep their homes warmer. They offer simple energy saving tips, and know about funding schemes and how to access them.
Their website Home Energy Scotland offers help with finding funding, reducing your bills, making your home warmer and living a greener life. You can call them on 0808 808 2282
Money, Benefits and Grants:Search for Local Organisations
Our quick search tool can connect you to over 3000 service providers, suppliers and organisations supporting people across Scotland. To find support near you, simply enter your search term and select your local authority.
| Organisation | Description |
|---|---|
| Advice Works (Renfrewshire Council Money and Debt Advice) | Aims: To raise the incomes of people and their families and help people manage their debts. Services provided: Advice Works is a free, confidential and independent service and will give you advice in a straightforward manner. The team can help with a w… |
| Advicelocal | Delivered by the advice charity rightsnet, Advicelocal is designed to help if you have (or someone you’re in contact with has) a social welfare law problem – for example in relation to welfare benefits and tax credits; council tax; debt and money advic… |
| Advicenow | An independent, not-for-profit website providing information on rights and legal issues for the general public |
| Age Scotland | Providing services and promoting a better quality of life to older people |
| Age UK Online Shop | Shopping online for aids and equipment with Help the Aged |
| Airdrie Citizens Advice Bureau | Aims: To ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, or of the services available to them, or through an inability to express their need effectively and, equally to exercise a responsible influe… |
| ALISS | ALISS is a national digital programme enabling people and professionals to find and share information on resources, services, groups, and support in their local communities and online. ALISS can help you find information about resources like: services… |
| Andrew Paton’s Charitable Trust | Charitable trust with an interest in Scotland |
| Angus Citizens Advice Bureau – Arbroath | Provide information and advice to people living in the local area |
| Angus Citizens Advice Bureau – Montrose | Provide information to people living in the local area |
