Orkney is one of 5 Local Authorities in Scotland taking part in the pilot of the new disability benefit for people of State Pension age from the Scottish Government. The other areas are Argyll & Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, and Shetland. The payment will be available across Scotland by 22 April 2025.

Pension Age Disability Payment is for people of State Pension age and over who are disabled or have a long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe; or are terminally ill.

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

Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland, which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). People already in receipt of Attendance Allowance do not need to apply separately as their award will automatically be moved to Social Security Scotland. 

Find out more and to apply click on this link:  mygov.scot/pensiondisability

There is a separate fast-track application process for people who are terminally ill and eligible people will be entitled to the higher rate of payment regardless of how long they have had a terminal illness. 

Tommy Campbell, Executive Committee member at The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum and poverty campaigner said: 

“The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, and other organisations, worked extensively with the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland to help develop a fairer and more just application system for pensioners with disabilities and more complex needs in Scotland. 

“We support many people of Stage Pension age and over with long-term health conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and arthritis who would really benefit from this financial support. 

“We hope that the roll out of this pilot programme over the coming months will demonstrate and deliver on this.” 

People can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if they are of State Pension age and:

• are disabled or have a long-term health condition

• need help looking after themselves or supervision to keep them safe, or

• are terminally ill

Pension Age Disability Payment is not means-tested

Find out more at mygov.scot/pensiondisability

Fact Sheet to download here:

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

“As people continue to face a cost of living crisis it is more important than ever that older disabled people across Scotland get all the financial support they are entitled to. 

“This new benefit has been developed by listening to older disabled people and we have made many changes, including making it easier for them to nominate someone to support them in their engagement with Social Security Scotland, something they told us was important to them.