The Scottish Government recently announced proposals for the introduction of a new devolved disability benefit which is set to start rolling out next year. Pension Age Disability Payment will replace Attendance Allowance as part of a phased pilot launch from Autumn 2024 for new claimants, before rolling out nationwide in early 2025.
The new benefit will pay the same weekly rates as Attendance Allowance which is currently delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Social Security Scotland also plans to launch Pension Age Winter Heating Assistance at the end of next year, although no details on this payment have been announced yet.
However, there could be a major change to the benefit as a recently published email from the Disability and Carer Benefits Expert Advisory Group to the then Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson, suggests that “the introduction of a mobility component should be carefully considered by the Scottish Government”.
Attendance Allowance does not contain the mobility element, which is only available to those under State Pension age claiming disability benefits. This includes Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Child Disability Payment.
Under the section, ‘Improvements for future consideration’ in the email dated August 24, 2022, the advisory group makes several recommendations for the Scottish Government to consider.
The email states: “We believe that a safe and secure transfer should not prevent or inhibit the consideration of ways to improve the assistance once case transfer is complete. For example, some responses to the 2019 consultation suggested a mobility component would bring Pension Age Disability Payment in line with other forms of disability assistance and should be considered.
“We agree that the introduction of a mobility component should be carefully considered by the Scottish Government. Mobility issues are just as relevant to people over pension age as to those below it. In addition to financial support, it could potentially open access to the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment scheme, subject to negotiation and agreement by Motability, which would be a great boon to many who will receive Pension Age Disability Payment.”
Recommendation 2 suggests: “The Scottish Government should commit to further exploring the introduction of a mobility component to Pension Age Disability Payment to bring this in line with other forms of disability assistance and to better meet the obligations of a system designed in line with a rights based approach.
“We understand that there are significant financial implications of introducing a mobility component to Pension Age Disability Payment. However, increases to social security expenditure must be considered in the wider context of public service provision.”
The recent report by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) on the use of public funds in supporting the mobility needs of disabled people noted that the inequalities in access to the mobility component and, therefore, the Motability scheme, were highlighted not only by individual respondents but also by organisations representing disabled people such as Parkinson’s UK, MNDA, SCOPE, Age UK and CAS.
It said: “The lack of access to a private vehicle for older people was particularly an issue for those living in rural areas and/or areas with little or no public transport. For people over State Pension age, in receipt of Attendance Allowance and living in areas unsupported by frequent or accessible public transport, the ineligibility to apply for a Motability vehicle was linked to rural poverty, isolation and poor mental health.
“Any barriers placed on one age group demographic compared to another as a result of their age alone could be considered discriminatory as is currently the case in regards to the mobility component lacking from Pension Age Disability Payment. Therefore, this presents a compelling case in principle to move in this direction, while recognising that there will be significant costs and benefits attached to these options.”
You can read the email and all the recommendations on the GoV.Scot website here.
Pension Age Disability Payment
Some 127,399 existing Attendance Allowance claimants living in Scotland automatically transfer to the new system, so there’s no need to apply for the devolved benefit.
People receiving the financial support in England and Wales will not be affected by the change and will continue to receive regular payments from the DWP.
The new Pension Age Disability Payment will support older people who have a disability which results in the need for additional assistance, or supervision to keep them safe.
Below is an overview of what we know so far, but one of the key differences will be that face-to-face assessments will not be held - similar to the rollout of Adult Disability Payment.
When will Pension Age Disability Payment replace Attendance Allowance?
Social Security Scotland have not yet set out a specific timetable for the rollout of the Pension Age Disability Payment, however, the pilot scheme will launch in Autumn 2024 with full rollout in early 2025.
Existing claimants who currently receive Attendance Allowance will be transferred to the devolved system in stages after the new benefit has been introduced. Nobody will need to re-apply for the benefit and there will be no interruption to payments - much like the transfer from PIP to ADP.
Who will be eligible to make a claim for the Pension Age Disability Payment?
It is anticipated that eligibility rules for Pension Age Disability Payment will remain similar to Attendance Allowance. This benefit is for people who are of State Pension age or over, who have had their condition for at least six months and require additional care.
How will claims be assessed?
Social Security Scotland will make decisions about entitlement for Pension Age Disability Payment using the applicant’s account of their circumstances and existing supporting information.
There will be no face-to-face assessments as part of the application process, instead there will be dedicated support in all 32 local councils across Scotland to help claimants in a "person-centred approach".
Guidance on the new devolved disability benefits on mygov.scot explains: "We are making the application process as simple and easy as possible to encourage and support people to apply for the payments they are entitled to.
"The application process for disability assistance will be inclusive, accessible, provided in a range of formats and available through a range of routes (online, phone, post and in-person). We are making a number of improvements to the application form to include clear guidance on how the eligibility criteria is applied.
"This will ensure a client is supported in providing relevant information with in-person support available."
Payment rates for Pension Age Disability Payment
Social Security Scotland will provide Pension Age Disability Payment at the same same weekly rate as Attendance Allowance. It is also currently doing this for the devolved Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment.
The annual benefits uprating for April 2024 will be calculated under the Triple Lock guarantee. This determines the level of uprating for the State Pension and most benefits by using the highest between September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate, earnings growth, or 2.5%.
The current weekly payment rates for Attendance Allowance are:
Lower rate - £68.10
Higher rate - £101.75
An earlier version of this article incorrectly showed the 2022/223 payment rates.
How do I apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment?
You cannot apply for the new disability assistance benefit yet.
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.
For the latest updates on the new Disability Assistance being delivered by Social Security Scotland, visit the website here.
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