144,000 households face benefit shake-up next year - as one payment is replaced
Around 144,000 people will be moved over to a new benefit from next year as Attendance Allowance is to be replaced in Scotland.
In Scotland, people currently claiming Attendance Allowance will start to be switched over to a new benefit called Pension Age Disability Payment as part of a phased pilot launch in Autumn 2024. This will then be rolled out nationwide in early 2025.
Attendance Allowance is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit for people over the state pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of illness or disability. The benefit is part of a handful being transferred in stages to the new Social Security Scotland system.
According to the latest figures, around 129,641 people who live in Scotland already get Attendance Allowance from the DWP and according to official forecasts, it's expected that 144,000 people will be eligible in 2024-25.
The Scottish Government say the eligibility rules for Pension Age Disability Payment will remain broadly similar to Attendance Allowance. The Scottish Government website says to be eligible, you need to be over the state pension age, have had the condition for at least six months and require additional care.
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It will also pay the same weekly rates as the current benefit, so new and existing claimants shouldn't see any change in the support. The benefit is paid at two different rates, and how much you get depends on the level of care you need. The higher rate is £101.75 and the lower rate is £68.10 and it is paid every four weeks.
Social Security Scotland said it will also be making decisions about entitlement for Pension Age Disability Payment using the applicant’s account of their circumstances and existing supporting information.
There will also 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 GOV.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."
You currently cannot make a new claim for the disability benefit just yet, you can still make new claims for Attendance Allowance through the DWP and they will then be transferred over the new benefit from Autumn next year.
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