New state pension age benefit will launch next year replacing Attendance Allowance for thousands

It will then be rolled out nationwide in early 2025.

Some 129,641 people who live in Scotland already get Attendance Allowance from the DWP, according to the latest figures.

Attendance Allowance recipients will not need to apply for the new benefit and will be transferred in stages to the new Social Security Scotland system.

The payment, formerly known as Disability Assistance for Older People, supports older people who have a disability that means they need help with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe.

According to the Scottish Government, eligibility rules for Pension Age Disability Payment will remain broadly similar to Attendance Allowance.

Pension Age Disability Payment eligibility

Following the rollout, people who meet the following criteria will be eligible for the benefit:

• People who are state pension age and over, and
• Have had their condition for at least six months, and
• Require additional care.

Social Security Scotland will decide entitlement for the payment using the applicant’s account of their circumstances and “existing supporting information”.

Examples include:

• An occupational therapy assessment
• A report from a district nurse
• Information from a partner

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Face-to-face assessments will not be held.

Social Security Scotland said it intends that the rates of all forms of disability assistance will remain the same as the current rate of the equivalent disability benefit paid by the DWP.

These will increase in line with inflation each year, the Scottish Government said.

Furthermore, Social Security Scotland will “ensure that terminally ill individuals are provided with the support they need, when they need it”.