Latest news with #PensionAgeDisabilityPayments
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Pensioners claiming new health benefit could get payment decision in six days
Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced all new claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? New figures from Social Security Scotland show there were 1,875 people over 66 receiving Pension Age Disability Payments (PADP), the new devolved benefit that has now replaced all claims for Attendance Allowance north of the border. People of State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or health condition could be eligible for the lower rate of £73.90 if they need help during the day or at night, or the higher rate of £110.40, if they need help during the day and at night, or if they are terminally ill. For anyone thinking about making a new claim, the latest data indicates the average processing time - from point of application to decision award letter - is currently six working days. For those applying with a terminal illness it is one working day. This means people submitting a new claim this week could receive a letter or an email before next weekend. However, it's important to be aware that complex cases may take longer and as awareness about the new benefit grows, that timeframe will undoubtedly increase. Insights from Social Security Scotland also shows the most common age of claimants is currently over 75. It also reveals that of the 2,575 applications processed - with a decision made by April 30 - 77 per cent were authorised, 11 per cent were denied and 11 per cent were withdrawn. Most successful applicants received the higher rate. Of all authorised applications, 79 per cent were awarded the higher level of 110.40 per week and 21 per cent were awarded the lower level of £73.90 over the period to 30 April 2025. Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP's Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also supports people with these conditions. It's important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the website here. Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain Arthritis Spondylosis Back Pain Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints Trauma to Limbs Visual Disorders and Diseases Hearing Disorders Heart Disease Respiratory Disorders and Diseases Asthma Cystic Fibrosis Cerebrovascular Disease Peripheral vascular Disease Epilepsy Neurological Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Parkinsons Disease Motor Neurone Disease Chronic Pain Syndromes Diabetes Mellitus Metabolic Disease Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Learning Difficulties Psychosis Psychoneurosis Personality Disorder Dementia Behavioural Disorder Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hyperkinetic Syndrome Renal Disorders Inflammatory Bowel Disease Bowel and Stomach Disease Blood Disorders Haemophilia Multi System Disorders Multiple Allergy Syndrome Skin Disease Malignant Disease Severely Mentally impaired Double Amputee Deaf/Blind Haemodialysis Frailty Total Parenteral Nutrition AIDS Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19 The Scottish Government said PADP has been designed with the help of people who will be eligible for the benefit and those who support them. Improvements include a streamlined process for people to nominate a third party representative who can support them to communicate with Social Security Scotland. A fast-track process will be put in place for applicants diagnosed with a terminal illness. As already mentioned, this takes just one working day on average to process. Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment Guidance on provides full details on who can claim, how to claim, additional help available, what happens after a claim is submitted and extra support for successful claimants. Find out more here. You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have both: Reached State Pension age (66) Had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition You can still apply if: You have not had care needs for 6 months or more - your award will begin 6 months from when your care needs started if your application is successful You are waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis You have a terminal illness - there is a separate fast-track application process if you're terminally ill It's important to be aware you cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time. Existing claimants will automatically move to Pension Age Disability Payment - Social Security Scotland will do this and you will not have to do anything. If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you do not need to do anything. Your benefit will move to Social Security Scotland. Payment rates for Pension Age Disability Payment Social Security Scotland will provide Pension Age Disability Payment at the same weekly rate as Attendance Allowance. It is also currently doing this for the devolved Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment. The weekly payment rates for Attendance Allowance are: Lower rate - £73.90 Higher rate - £110.40 How do I apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment? You can only apply for the new disability assistance benefit if it has opened in your area. You can check on the dedicated pages on here. Anyone over State Pension age with a disability that means they need assistance with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe, should continue to apply for Attendance Allowance through the DWP. Get support making a claim from an independent advocate Help is also available from the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, which is funded by the Scottish Government, to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits. It provides a free, nationwide advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits. If you need an advocate, you should: contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222 ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service Full contact details can be found here.
Scottish Sun
21-04-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of Scots can apply for new benefit worth £5.7k from TOMORROW – check if you're eligible
Read on to find out how to apply HELPING HAND Thousands of Scots can apply for new benefit worth £5.7k from TOMORROW – check if you're eligible THOUSANDS of Scots can apply for a new benefit worth more than £5,000 starting tomorrow. Pension Age Disability Payment helps disabled people cover care costs and is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. 1 Pension Age Disability Payment helps disabled people cover care costs Credit: Alamy While those already claiming Attendance Allowance will automatically be transferred to the new support, an estimated one million people are missing out on the outgoing benefit. The monthly payment is split into two rates, depending on the level of care which is required. It's paid at two different rates, lower and higher. The amount you get depends on your care needs. The lower rate is £73.90 a week and is for people who need help or supervision during the day or night - £3,842.80 a year in total. The higher rate is £110.40 a week and is for people who need help or supervision during the day and night - £5,740.80 a year in total. If you're terminally ill, you'll automatically get the higher rate. Who is eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment? To be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payments, you must meet certain criteria, including: Be of state pension age (66) or over Have a disability or health condition (you can still apply if you're waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis) Have required care for at least six months (you can also apply before this point, as payments will begin six months from when successful applicants' care needs started) If you live in a care home and your care is funded by the local authority, you are unlikely to be eligible. However, if your care is privately funded, you may still apply How to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment From tomorrow, April 22, anyone who believes they are eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment can apply - either online or via the post. How to protect your pension and Inheritance from the new Budget Postal applications can be started by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. There is a separate fast-track application process for those who are terminally ill. If you already receive Attendance Allowance, you do not need to apply as you will automatically be moved to Pension Age Disability Payments. There are two parts to the application form. You will need certain information to hand to complete each part and must submit these within two weeks and eight weeks respectively, or contact Social Security Scotland if you need more time. A loved one or carer can also help you complete the application form. What support is available for carers? If you look after a loved one, you could also be entitled to help from the Government. Carer Support Payment is the main benefit available to carers living in Scotland, and comes in the form of monthly payments. From this month, Carer Support Payments are rising from £81.90 to £83.30 a week - £4331.60 a year in total. To be eligible for Carer Support Payment, you must meet a number of requirements. You can check if you're eligible using Mobilise's free claim checker tool. If you're entitled to Carer Support Payment, you can apply online, by phone, by post, or in person. For more guidance on the financial support available to people with care needs and unpaid carers, care experts are on hand to help via the Mobilise website.
