Attendance Allowance has been replaced in Scotland by the new Pension Age Disability Payment which will be delivered by Social Security Scotland. Any new applications in Scotland will now be to Pension Age Disability Payment, those on Attendance Allowance will be transferred over in time.
Pension Age Disability Payment is for those who have reached State Pension age and have a health condition or disability. Unlike Adult Disability Payment there is no mobility component. You can claim Pension Age Disability Payment whether you have someone caring for you or not.
You can check your eligibility here: eligibility checker
If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Scottish DLA (https://www.mygov.scot/moving-to-scottish-adult-dla) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and have been awarded a mobility component your claim for the benefit will carry on after you reach State Pension age and an application to Pension Age Disability Payment is not required.
If you get Constant Attendance Allowance at the same time, your Pension Age Disability Payment will be reduced by the amount of Constant Attendance Allowance you get.
If you’re in a care home
You cannot usually get Pension Age Disability Payment if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority. You can still claim Pension Age Disability Payment if you pay for all your care home costs yourself.
| Claiming Attendance Allowance | |
| Online | Phone and Paper |
| You can apply online using the online portal, you will need to have a my gov account or be able to register for one. Help to apply online If you have not used myaccount before, you’ll need to: + register with a user name and password + give some personal details Myaccount lets you save your application as you go. That means you don’t have to complete it all at once. You can only have one online application open at a time. If you do not submit part 2 of your application within 8 weeks Social Security Scotland will: + assume you do not want to complete your application + delete your application within 90 days from the date you started it to protect your personal data If you need more time to complete part 2 or are having difficulty completing it, contact Social Security Scotland. | 1. To apply by phone and paper: Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222. They’re open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. 2. The adviser you speak to will take some details to start your part 1 application. 3. Social Security Scotland will send you a part 2 paper application form and a prepaid return envelope. 4. Complete and return your form within 8 weeks or ask for more time if you need it. If you’re applying for someone who’s terminally ill, you can complete the whole application over the phone. |
Apply in a language that’s not English
Contact Social Security Scotland to apply over the phone. You can do this in over 100 languages with an interpreter they’ll give you on the phone. You can also book a call in advance.
Find out more about applying for a benefit in a language that’s not English.
If you’re a British Sign Language user, you can use the Contact Scotland service to contact Social Security Scotland.
To apply, you’ll need:
- your National Insurance number
- your address and contact details
- details of the health condition or disability that you need extra help for
- bank details of where the benefit is to be paid
Our Financial Wellbeing Officer is here to help with any questions and can even come out to help you fill in the form.
After you apply
After you apply for Pension Age Disability Payment, Social Security Scotland may contact you:
- to get more information about some of your answers
- if you have asked for help to find supporting information
- if there’s any information you have not been able to give, like account details for payment
If you need to send supporting information
You can:
- upload your documents online
- send them by post
You cannot send supporting information by email.
You should send these within 28 days (4 weeks) of submitting part 2 of your application.
Find out more about sending supporting information.
If anything changes while you’re waiting for a decision on your application
You need to tell Social Security Scotland if:
- anything changes that affects your condition or your care needs
- you move house
- you go into or come out of a hospital, care home or legal detention
- you need to update your payment details
Once a decision is made, you’ll get a letter explaining the outcome.
The letter tells you the result of your application. If your application is:
- successful, it’ll tell you what payments you’ll get
- not successful, it’ll explain why
If your application is successful, the earliest date that Social Security Scotland can pay you from is when you:
- submitted the first part of your application, if you applied online
- phoned Social Security Scotland to start the application process, if you applied by phone and paper form
Pension Age Disability Payment is:
- normally paid every 4 weeks for the previous 4 week period
- paid into the account you gave in your application
To change your account details, call Social Security Scotland free.
If you’re terminally ill, Pension Age Disability Payment is paid weekly in advance.
If you disagree with a decision
The law says the letter must:
- be clear and accessible
- give guidance and explanations about the decision that’s been made
It will also tell you what to do if you do not agree with the decision.
If you have any questions about your decision letter, you can contact Social Security Scotland.
If you would like Haemophilia Scotland to help support you in disputing this decision, please contact our Financial Wellbeing Officer
Claiming Pension Age Disability Payment if you’re nearing the end of life
If you are nearing the end of life your claim will be processed differently to ensure you receive payment quickly. Find out about special rules and how to claim here