Pension Age Disability Payment

Are you supporting someone of State Pension age with ongoing care needs?

If the person you care for has ongoing care-related needs because of a long-term condition, illness or disability, they could be eligible to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment. This is extra money provided to help cover the support they require.

If you have these needs yourself, you could also be eligible. You or the person you care for will need to have reached State Pension age and would need regular support with day-to-day activities including help with personal care (such as dressing, washing or using the toilet), and/or supervision to make sure you are safe.

There are two different rates

The amount is reviewed in April every financial year. There are two different rates depending on how much support might be needed.

This year (from April 2025), the lower rate is worth £73.90 a week. This rate is for people who need help or supervision during the day or night.

This year (from April 2025), the higher rate is worth £110.40 a week. This rate is for people who need help or supervision during the day and night.

To claim Pension Age Disability Payment, you must meet the following conditions: 

• You live in Scotland and have reached State Pension age.

• You need help with your care needs or require supervision to keep you safe. What matters is that you need help, not whether you’re currently getting any.

Pension Age Disability Payment isn't means-tested and this means that your income and any savings you have are not taken into account when the assessor looks at whether you are eligible.

There are also certain residence and presence conditions to meet. 

If you’re terminally ill, there are simpler rules you can follow which make it easier to apply. 

What does personal care involve?

This may be physically helping, prompting or motivating a person with activities they have difficulty with because of how their body works. Personal care includes help with things like: 

• getting in and out of a chair 
• bathing and washing 
• dressing and undressing 
• help with medication and treatment 
• getting in and out of bed and sleeping 
• communicating 
• eating and drinking 
• using the toilet 
• seeing - ie, if you need someone to see for you 
• breathing 
• walking. 

Because of your health conditon or disability, you may also need help with activities such as reading, moving around safely, shopping or housework. Consider what you might need help with from other people because of your health conditon or disability. The help you need must be carried out in your presence and involve personal contact with you. Here are some examples of the help you may need: 

• You have arthritis which makes moving difficult, so you need help getting in and out of bed, washing and dressing, and getting in and out of chairs. 
• You are deaf, and need an interpreter when communicating without sign language and to interpret spoken announcements. 
• You have a mental illness and need prompting to look after yourself and do things such as take your medication, eating, washing and dressing. 
• You are visually impaired and need help choosing clothes to wear, using the oven safely and preparing food. 
• You have a learning difficulty and need help with managing your money, writing letters and looking after your health and hygiene. 

What does supervision include? 

Supervision means you need someone to check on you regularly to keep you and/or others safe. For example, you may need checks if you have memory loss, are at risk of falling, have seizures, or aren’t aware of potential dangers. Being left unsupervised may mean you fall, leave the gas on, self-harm, or that you may harm others. 
 

There are different ways to apply

There are usually two stages to applying. You can apply online or by post (using a paper form) or by phone.

For anyone who has a terminal illness, special rules apply which help make the process quicker and there is only one stage. Find out more.

How to get started

This page on the mygov.scot website helps you see if the person you care for is eligible (or you can check for yourself) and explains the steps to take depending on how you choose to apply: https://www.mygov.scot/pension-age-disability-payment/how-to-apply

This helpful page also tells you what happens if you are already receiving Attendance Allowance. Social Security Scotland will ensure that you will be moved across to the new benefit and that there will be no gap in your reward.

It also explains what happens if you have already recently applied for Attendance Allowance.

Tips to help

It’s a long form so take your time to complete it – you don’t have to do it all in one go. Ask for help from a local advice agency if needed – you can find one on the Advicelocal website.

Social Security Scotland will also help refer you to an independent advocacy service or to one assisted by their client support advisers. There is more about getting help with the application on the government website here.  

• List all the help you need before completing the form. You could ask your carer to list all the help they give you to make sure you don’t miss anything out. 
   
• Think about all the difficulties you have and what help would make things easier. Point out any adjustments you’ve also already made to help.
   
• Be honest about how long things take you and if you can do them safely.
   
• Remember that what matters is that you need help, not that you’re already getting help.
   
• If you have equipment or adaptations, explain any help you need to use them. Explain any additional help you need from another person as well as your equipment and adaptations.
   
• Try keeping a diary for a week if you’re not sure how much help you need, or how long things take. This can be particularly useful if your condition changes.
   
• You don’t have to need help every day – you’ll qualify if you need help ‘most of the time’. If your needs vary, make a list of the help you need on each day of the week or month.
   
• Don’t just think about what happens on good days. Get an overall picture of the help you need.
   
• Explain any falls or accidents you’ve had.
   
• Evidence is important. Send in as much as you can with your claim form so long as it’s fairly recent, relevant and helpful in relation to your claim. This could include a letter from your GP or consultant, your care plan, information from a community psychiatric nurse, medical reports or prescription lists. If possible, it’s a good idea to check with an adviser whether the evidence you plan to include will help in deciding your claim. For more about evidence to support your claim, you can visit the government website here.
  
  

Keep a copy of your form and any evidence you send in. It will be useful to have a record if you need to appeal. 

You won’t need to go to an assessment for Pension Age Disability Payment unless it’s unclear to the case manager at Social Security Scotland how your illness or disability affects you.

Most claims are decided on the information in your form along with any other evidence you sent in.

What to expect

You’ll get a decision letter saying whether you can claim Pension Age Disability Payment how much it will be, and how long your claim will last for. 
 

If someone is terminally ill, the process is different – see our guidance on disability benefits if you’re terminally ill for more information. 

What if I’m turned down? 

If you’re turned down, or awarded the lower rate when you think you should get the higher rate, don’t panic. It’s worth challenging the decision and asking to have your claim looked at again. This is called a re-determination.

Citizens Advice has useful guidance on challenging a benefits decision.

If things change...

You need to tell Social Security Scotland as soon as possible if your condition or circumstances change, because this could affect your entitlement to Pension Age Disability Payment. 

A change in your condition could include: 

• your illness or disability getting better or worse 
• the level of personal care or supervision you need changes 
• a significant change in the tools, equipment or medication that you need. 
  
  

Changes in your condition could mean you need care in a different environment. If so, the following also needs to be reported:

• going into a hospice, hospital or care home overnight 
• going into a hospice (if you’re terminally ill and receive the benefit under special rules, your claim won’t be affected but you will need to keep Social Security Scotland updated about the move). 
  
  

If you’re paid the lower rate of Pension Age Disability Payment and the help you need increases, you can contact the Social Security Scotland and ask for your case to be looked at again. Be aware there is always a risk that your benefit could be decreased rather than increased, so it’s a good idea to get help from a local advice agency first. Visit the Advicelocal website to find one. 

A change in circumstances could, for example, also include: 

• going abroad for more than 13 weeks 
• changing your name, address or bank details 
• going into prison. 

These are just a few examples of changes that could affect your Pension Age Disability Payment. If you’re not sure if a change affects your Pension Age Disability Payment, report it to Social Security Scotland anyway and keep a record that you have kept them updated. They will be able to advise if it's likely to affect your entitlement. You can find out more about reporting a change to Social Security Scotland here.

Useful to know

Receiving Pension Age Disability Payment could lead to an increase in any means-tested benefits or tax credits you receive, or you might now find that you qualify for them for the first time. Contact the offices that pay these benefits to find out more. 

You could also receive help with NHS costs. If the person you care for claims, you might also become eligible for benefits like Carer Support Payment.

You can find out what benefits you’re entitled to and how much you should be getting by doing an online benefits check, or contacting one of our advisers to arrange one at advice@carersuk.org

You can also look into carrying out an online benefits check by visiting either: 

• Entitled to
• Turn2us
  
   

Blue Badge scheme 

The Blue Badge scheme helps you park closer to your destination if you have difficulty walking. For example, a Blue Badge lets you park free at parking meters and in some pay and display areas. 

Getting Pension Age Disability Payment might support your application for a Blue Badge. Contact your local council for further information. 

Money off train travel 

You could buy a Disabled Person’s Railcard to cut train fares for you and a friend. Call 0345 605 0525 or visit the Disabled Persons Railcard website. 

Help with the cost of public transport in general

From the age of 60, you’ll be entitled to free bus travel in Scotland: transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/60plus-or-disabled-free-bus-travel/

Those who are disabled and receiving certain benefits will also be entitled to a free travel pass. Find out more here: Eligibility and Conditions for the 60+ or Disabled Traveller.

There is also a 'Companion Card' scheme that allows for free travel for companions (where needed by eligible disabled people of any age including children under 5). For more details, contact Transport Scotland on 0141 272 7100. 

Further guidance

See the Scot Gov website for further details about this benefit: https://www.mygov.scot/pension-age-disability-payment