Under the management of Social Security Scotland, the name of the benefit Attendance Allowance will change to Pension Age Disability Payment, and it will be the 15th benefit administered by the Scottish benefits department overall
A major update has been issued as a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit has been scrapped in Scotland as part of a major benefit shake-up. The update regards the disability benefit, Attendance Allowance.
This is a DWP benefit which is paid to people over the state pension age with a disability or medical condition. However, Social Security Scotland – which is the Scottish version of the DWP – is currently working to take over the management and administration of some benefits in the country – including Attendance Allowance.
Under the management of Social Security Scotland, the name of the benefit will change to Pension Age Disability Payment and it will be the 15th benefit administered by the Scottish benefits department overall.
Social Security Scotland shared this week that the Pension Age Disability Payment is now open for applications across Scotland. The national rollout follows successful pilots in 18 areas, which started last October.
The move means anyone eligible for the benefit and living in Scotland will now be claiming Pension Age Disability Payment as opposed to Attendance Allowance.
The transfer of those claiming Attendance Allowance onto the Scottish variation is still ongoing, and those currently claiming the DWP benefit do not need to take any action. They will be moved over automatically over the coming few months, with Social Security Scotland confirming that everyone will continue to receive their payments “on time and in the right amount”. The Scottish benefits department recently confirmed it has started transferring the awards of 169,000 existing claimants to the new benefit.
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The eligibility and the amount you get are the same as Attendance Allowance – the only differences are that Social Security Scotland will be running it and the name.
It is not means-tested and – depending on your specific needs – is worth between £295.60 and £441.60 a month as there are two different rates that can be paid. The lower rate is £73.80 a week, and it is paid to people who need help or supervision during the day or night.
The higher rate is £110.40 a week, and it is for people who need help or supervision during the day or night. People living with terminal conditions are eligible to claim the higher rate.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The national launch of Pension Age Disability Payment is an important milestone in the development of our social security system, that will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.
“The pilot phases have allowed us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before rolling the benefit out across Scotland. It is vital older people who are disabled, terminally ill or those 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 benefit reforms.”
Chief Executive at Age Scotland, Katherine Crawford said: “Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital means of support for older people who have a disability or long-term health condition. With rising bills and cost of living stretching many beyond their means, it’s vital that older people are not missing out on any financial support.
“If you are unsure of your eligibility or looking for support with an application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222, use our online benefits calculator at www.age.scot/benefitscalculator, or book a place on one of our new workshops which are designed to support and give guidance to anyone who is considering an application for themselves or someone else www.age.scot/benefitsworkshops.”
Lynda O’Neill, Project Manager at The Daffodil Club in Easterhouse, added: “I know from working with older people with disabilities how costly it can be. I’ve helped people to apply for support and would encourage anyone who thinks they could be eligible or knows someone who could be eligible to apply.”
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