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. You may qualify for benefits such as Pension Credit, or an increase in your Pension Credit, if you get Attendance Allowance so get a benefit check to find out what will happen if your claim succeeds. You can use Age Scotland’s online benefit calculator here Benefit Calculator (agescotland.org.uk)
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’re 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 18 April 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 on vehicle tax if you meet the government criteria. The vehicle must be registered in your name or a named 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 standard rate mobility component or Adult Disability Payment standard rate mobility component Adult Disability Payment – mygov.scot
Am I entitled to benefits?
A benefits check is a calculation that will give you an idea of what you might be entitled to. You can get a check at your local welfare rights project, local Council Money Advice , Citizens Advice Bureau. or a charity like Age Scotland. Age Scotland has a guide to what to expect M 15 ben check 2023.indd (ageuk.org.uk) and an online benefit calculator.
You can also use the Turn2us benefit calculator online.
To find your local welfare rights service search our Scottish Disability Directory. or contact our helpline on 0300 323 9961.
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. Check out our Help to heat your home guide for more information.
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, know about funding schemes and can arrange benefits checks to help people access help.
You can call Home Energy Scotland’s free helpline on 0808 808 2282 to check what support you might be entitled to, text WARM to 60163 for a call back or email advice@se.homeenergyscotland.org.
Am I eligible for VAT relief on disability equipment?
In general, disabled people do not have to pay VAT on goods and services that are designed or adapted solely for use by disabled people. These goods and services are often called zero-rated or eligible for VAT relief.
Most suppliers will know if their product has been specifically designed to help disabled people. They will offer their products free of VAT as you buy them.
You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet the conditions for zero rating. Your supplier may give you a form for this.
Most suppliers will use the Notice 701/7 VAT relief for disabled people form.
For further information see our VAT Exemption for Disabled Goods Information Guide or call our helpline on 0300 323 9961.
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.
