Pension Age Disability Payment became available nationally across Scotland from 22 April 2025, Social Security Scotland has said. The payment replaces Attendance Allowance in Scotland, which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions, and is administered by Social Security Scotland1.
The benefit opened for new applications in the pilot areas of Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands from 21 October 2024, and was rolled out to 13 more local authority areas on 24 March 2025 before going national1. The UK government's public funds guidance, updated on 9 April 2025, states that those in Scotland over pension age can apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment rather than Attendance Allowance from 22 April 2025 onwards2.
Transfers from Attendance Allowance began in early 2025. Social Security Scotland said the process was automatic, with no need for clients to do anything, and that it wrote to clients in advance of their benefits transferring1.
What the figures show
Statistics published by Social Security Scotland covering the period from launch to 31 July 2026 give the following picture1:
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Part 1 applications registered | 62,875 |
| Part 2 applications received | 49,665 |
| Applications processed with a decision | 56,010 |
| Authorised | 82% |
| Denied | 15% |
| Withdrawn | 3% |
| Individuals who received the payment | 196,150 |
| Payments made | 2,395,900 |
| Total value issued | £817,509,345 |
| People in receipt as of 31 July 2026 | 186,390 |
Of the caseload at 31 July 2026, 144,280 (77%) were people whose award transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions and 42,110 (23%) were new applicants. Of the total, 122,930 (66%) were on the higher level and 63,450 (34%) on the lower level1.
The median average processing time for normal rules applications from launch to 31 July 2026 was 8 working days, rising from 8 working days in April 2026 to 17 working days in July 2026. For special rules for terminal illness applications, the median was 2 working days, rising from 2 to 3 working days over the same period1.
By 31 July 2026, 9,730 reviews had been completed: 6,485 (67%) resulted in no change, 3,160 (32%) in an increase and 85 (1%) in a decrease. Of the decreases, 45 (51%) ended the award1.
Why it matters for households
People over State Pension age in Scotland who need help with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe, because of a disability or long-term health condition now claim Pension Age Disability Payment rather than Attendance Allowance1. Attendance Allowance awards held by people in Scotland were moved across automatically, so no action was needed to keep the money coming in1.
The payment has two award levels. Across authorised applications to 31 July 2026, 75% were awarded the higher level and 25% the lower level, while 66% of the caseload at that date was on the higher level1. The most common age group in receipt was 75 to 79, at 24% of the caseload, and the largest share of recipients lived in Glasgow City (11%), followed by North Lanarkshire (8%)1.
The application has two parts, and an applicant who completes part 1 has eight weeks to complete part 21. Where a decision goes against an applicant, 2,500 re-determinations had been requested by 31 July 2026, of which 2,190 were completed: 53% allowed, 42% disallowed and 6% invalid1.
What happens next
The next statistical publication, covering the period to 31 October 2026, is due on 15 December 20261.
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