Pension Age Disability Payment fully rolled out in Scotland as replacement for Attendance Allowance

Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is now the benefit for people of State Pension age in Scotland who need help with care, replacing Attendance Allowance, which was previously delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions¹. The Scottish Government factsheet states that Attendance Allowance "has been fully devolved and rolled out in Scotland", and that PADP is delivered by Social Security Scotland¹.

The benefit is not means-tested. The factsheet says it does not matter whether the person applying is working or has savings¹, and Independent Age states it can be claimed whatever the claimant's income or savings³. Turn2us lists it as a non means-tested benefit administered by Social Security Scotland and not taxable⁴.

There are two rates for 2026-27, and no mobility component¹.

PADP is paid every four weeks, covering the previous four-week period, into the account given in the application¹. The first payment is usually calculated from the date the claimant called Social Security Scotland to start the application or submitted the first part of the online form¹. People who are terminally ill are paid weekly in advance and receive the higher rate regardless of how long they have been ill or are expected to live¹. To fast-track an application, confirmation of the terminal diagnosis is needed from a doctor or nurse, using the Benefits Assessment under Special Rules in Scotland (BASRiS) form¹.

People already receiving Adult Disability Payment stay on that benefit and do not transfer to PADP on reaching State Pension age¹. Applications can be made online, in person, by phone or by post, and supporting information from a professional is requested where possible, though it does not have to be a diagnosis¹. Independent Age notes that a friend, family member, carer or advocate can apply on someone's behalf, and that the online and paper forms are only in English, though applications can be made by phone in another language³.

Why it matters for households

For people of State Pension age in Scotland with care needs, the paying body is now Social Security Scotland rather than the DWP, and existing Attendance Allowance awards move across automatically without a new claim¹. The rates match those quoted for Attendance Allowance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 2026-27, at £114.60 and £76.70 a week². Independent Age states PADP does not reduce other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, and that an award can sometimes increase entitlement to means-tested benefits³. Turn2us notes that a claimant does not need to be receiving help, only to show the need for it⁴. Which? reports that Attendance Allowance is not available to people living in Scotland, who must apply for PADP instead².

What happens next

No further rollout dates are given in the published material. Social Security Scotland's factsheet is dated March 2026¹, and Which? reports the position as of 6 April 2026². People can apply at mygov.scot or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222¹. Independent advocacy is available from Advocacy.scot, operated by Advice Direct Scotland, on 0808 196 8901¹.