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”.
