DWP confirms Attendance Allowance change for people living in 17 council areas (2025)

The change for new and existing claimants will only impact people with a Scottish postcode.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed people over State Pension age living in 17 council areas across Scotland can no longer make a new claim for Attendance Allowance. The benefit for older people with a disability or long-term health issues has been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP).

The devolved payment can be claimed by pensioners living in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dundee City, Falkirk, Fife, Highland, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), Orkney and Shetland Islands, Perth and Kinross and Stirling. It is also now available in all three Ayrshire local authority areas - East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire.

The payment is only available to people with a Scottish postcode and will roll out nationwide from April 22. Social Security Scotland has started transferring the awards of 169,000 people in Scotland who currently receive Attendance Allowance to the new benefit.

People currently getting Attendance Allowance do not need to take any action - the transfer will happen automatically in phases throughout 2025. Everyone will continue to receive their payments on time and in the right amount and there will be no breaks in payment during the move.

PADP is for disabled people or those with a long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe. It is available to people of State Pension age and is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill.

It is not means-tested and currently worth between £290 and £434 a month depending on the needs of the person who gets it. This will increase to between £295 and £441 a month from April 1, as part of the annual benefits uprating exercise.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I urge anyone who thinks they could be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment to apply.

“It is vital older people who are disabled, terminally ill people or who have care needs get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and live with dignity.

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone gets the financial support they’re entitled to and this has not changed following the UK Government’s announcement on welfare.”

Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s Chief Executive said: “It’s great to see Pension Age Disability Payment being rolled out across more areas. At Alzheimer Scotland, we know that living with dementia leads to extra costs so it’s important that those affected can access the financial support they need, when they need it.

“The application support that Social Security Scotland provides is vital for people who are already dealing with the emotional and practical challenges of living with dementia.

“The availability of this support will make a positive difference to people living with dementia, improving their ability to live well with their condition.”

Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment

Guidance on mygov.scot 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 current weekly payment rates for Attendance Allowance are:

• Lower rate - £72.65 (rising to £73.90 in April)
• Higher rate - £108.55 (rising to £110.40 in April)

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 mygov.scot 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.