The Scottish Government recently announced that the new devolved disability benefit, which aims to provide additional financial support to people of state pension age, will not include a mobility element. However, it also confirmed that the new benefit will not include an in-person assessment as part of the application process.
The Pension Age Disability Payment will be phased in on a trial basis from autumn 2024 for new claimants and rolled out nationally in early 2025, and will replace the school allowance. Around 129,641 people living in Scotland already receive either £68.10 or £101.75 a week through their pensioner’s school allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will not need to apply for new benefits and will be migrated to the Scottish Social Security IT system in stages.
Age Disability Pension supports older people with disabilities who need personal care and supervision to keep them safe.
Scottish Social Security said it would use the applicant’s description of the situation and existing supporting information to determine eligibility for the Age Disability Pension.
There will be no in-person evaluation. Examples of supporting information include:
- Occupational therapy evaluation
- Report from district nurse
- Information from partners
Scottish Social Security also said it was “responsible for collecting information from a variety of sources suggested by individuals, as appropriate”.
Eligibility for receiving disability pension Age-related disability payment
The benefits are available to those who meet the following conditions.
- People who are over the national pension age
- People who have had symptoms for at least 6 months
- People who need additional care
Information from scottish government Additionally, “it is expected that the eligibility rules for pension age disability payments will remain broadly similar to commuting benefits.”
It also states: “It is our intention that rates for all forms of disability support remain the same as the current rates for equivalent disability benefits in the UK. The rate of support will increase in line with inflation each year.”
Around 700,000 people will be in Scotland’s new We will be moving to a welfare system. .
Below is a summary of what we know so far about pension age disability payments. If you need additional support, please contact DWP today. Further information on attendance allowances can be found on GOV.UK. here.
pension age disability benefit
Attendance benefit claimants living in Scotland will be automatically transferred to the new system and will not need to apply for devolved benefits. People receiving financial support in England and Wales are do not have are affected by the changes and will continue to receive regular payments from DWP.
When will Pension Age Disability Benefit be replaced by Commuting Allowance?
Scottish Social Security has not yet set a concrete timetable for the introduction of pension age disability benefits, but the pilot scheme is expected to start in autumn 2024, with full introduction expected in early 2025.
Existing claimants who currently receive time allowance will be gradually transitioned to the devolved system once the new allowance is introduced.
Who can claim age disability pension?
It is expected that the eligibility rules for pension age disability payments will remain similar to commuting allowance. The benefit is available to people who are over state pension age, have had symptoms for at least six months, and need additional care.
Latest national pension news
How are claims evaluated?
Scottish Social Security will use a description of the applicant’s circumstances and existing supporting information to make decisions regarding eligibility for pension age disability payments.
As already mentioned, there will be no in-person assessment as part of the application process.
Guidance on newly devolved disability benefits scottish government “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 support is comprehensive and accessible. , will be provided and made available in various formats and through various channels (online, telephone, postal mail, in person).
“We are making a number of improvements to our application forms to include clear guidance on how eligibility criteria will be applied. This will allow our clients to access in-person support while also providing relevant information. We will definitely support you in providing this.”
Age disability pension payment rate
Scottish Social Security provides pension age disability payments at the same weekly rate as attendance allowance. We are now also doing this for the devolved Child Disability Benefit and Adult Disability Benefit.
The annual benefit increase for April 2024 will be calculated based on the Triple Lock Guarantee. It uses the highest of September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, earnings growth or 2.5% to determine the level of increases to the state pension and most benefits.
The current weekly payment rates for attendance allowance are as follows:
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Low price – £68.10
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Higher rate – £101.75
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How do I apply for disability pension?
You cannot apply for new disability support benefits yet.
If you are over state pension age and have a disability and require personal care and supervision to keep you safe, you will still need to apply for commuting allowance through the following agencies: D.W.P..
For up-to-date information on the new disability support offered by Scottish Social Security, please visit the following website: here.
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