From 21st of October, pensioners in Orkney will be able to get the Pension Age Disability Payment which replaces Attendance Allowance. The payment is to be piloted in Orkney, Argyll & Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, and Shetland.

In a staged roll out of the benefit, 13 more Local Authority areas will be added on  24th of March 2025 before becoming available across the whole of Scotland by 22 April 2025.  

Pension Age Disability Benefit is for people of pension age who have a disability or long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe. 

It is not means-tested and is worth between £290 and £434 a month depending on the needs of the person who gets it.

Currently the benefit is administered by the UK Department of Work and Pensions. The transfer to  Social Security Scotland will happen automatically.

Anyone who thinks they would be eligible should apply NOW for the DWP Attendance Allowance and if successful they will be automatically transferred over when the Pension Age Disability Payment is rolled out in their area.

The application process is improved with Social Security Scotland supporting people in their application with face to face support available from its team across the country. Help is also available from independent advocacy service Voiceability who are funded by the Scottish Government to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits

Social Security Scotland also has a separate, accelerated application process for people who are terminally ill. This is open to any eligible person who has a terminal diagnosis, no matter how long they’re expected to live. This is different to the DWP who only class someone as terminally ill if they are expected to live for 12 months or less. Eligible people automatically get the highest amount of Pension Age Disability Benefit.

Social Justice Secretary in the Scottish Government Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 

“In the midst of the cost of living crisis it is more important than ever that older people get the support they’re entitled to.

“We developed Pension Age Disability Payment by listening to the people who would be applying for it and those who support them. We made changes including making it easier for an eligible person to nominate a third party representative, something people told us was important for many older people.

“The pilot phase will allow us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before the benefit is rolled out across Scotland.

“If you think you might be eligible for support right now, I encourage you to apply for Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.

“Anyone getting that benefit will automatically have their award transferred to Pension Age Disability Payment next year so there is no reason to wait.”