Pension Age Disability Payment

You may qualify for Pension Age Disability Payment if:

• you are over State Pension age
• you have a physical or mental health condition, or a disability. This can include sensory conditions such as sight and hearing loss, and cognitive impairments such as dementia. You don't need to have a diagnosis
• you have needed help with your care needs or regular supervision from someone else for at least six months. You can claim whether or not you actually receive this help or supervision

If a medical professional has said you have a terminal illness you can claim Pension Age Disability Payment straightaway. For more information, visit mygov.scot.

Your care needs could include things like:

• washing and bathing
• dressing and undressing
• getting in or out of bed
• taking medication or having treatment
• communicating to people what you need or making yourself understood.

For more information about who can claim, see our guide Pension Age Disability Payment.

Pension Age Disability Payment is paid at two different rates, depending on the level of care you need:

Your income and savings aren’t considered when deciding if you qualify for Pension Age Disability Payment, so anyone can claim it regardless of their financial situation. You don’t have to spend your Pension Age Disability Payment on care – it’s up to you how you spend the money.

Pension Age Disability Payment will not reduce other benefits you receive, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction (also known as Council Tax Support). In some cases, you may find that being awarded Pension Age Disability Payment means you’re entitled to higher rates of these other benefits, because of your extra needs.

If you want to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment by phone, call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. The adviser will then send you the form with a prepaid return envelope, so that you can complete it at home. If you have a terminal illness or are applying for someone else with a terminal illness, you can complete the whole shortened application over the phone with help from a specially trained member of staff.

To apply online, visit mygov.scot. You’ll need to register with myaccount. This lets you save what you’ve done and come back to it at another time, so that you don’t have to complete the whole form in one go.

Social Security Scotland can help you to complete your application form. You can speak to an adviser over the phone, or you may be able to get face-to-face support if one of their teams is based near you. Citizens Advice Scotland may also be able to arrange a face-to-face appointment with you.

If you cannot apply for Pension Age Disability Payment yourself, a friend, family member, carer or advocate can apply on your behalf.

Pension Age Disability Payment is based on your needs, so it’s important to give as much detail as possible. You should:

• explain how your condition affects your day-to-day life and what personal tasks you have difficulties with
• answer all the questions if you can and give examples  
• include the time it takes you to carry out specific tasks and how much help you need with them, even if there’s no one to help you
• explain how your needs change and how bad your difficulties can be if some days are better than others
• mention any things you avoid doing because they’re difficult for you – for example, if it’s difficult bending and reaching to put on and take off socks, even while you’re sitting down
• explain what happens when you don’t receive the care you need, especially if this has left you at risk of falls or struggling to manage
• send supporting information if you're able to – for example, from your carer, GP or consultant.

For more tips on filling in your form, see our guide Pension Age Disability Payment.

Some people find that if they’ve lived with their health problem for a long time, they overlook or underestimate their difficulties. It’s a good idea to get help to fill in the form. If you want to help someone else to fill in the form, read our tips on how to help someone to claim.

Social Security Scotland will send you a letter with their decision. This letter is called a Notice of determination. If your application is successful, it’ll tell you what payments you’ll get. 

Getting Pension Age Disability Payment also means that you may qualify for an increase in any means-tested benefits or tax credits you're currently getting. If you don't get any, you may qualify for the first time. Call our Helpline on 0800 319 6789 to see what other benefits you could get, or use our online benefits calculator.

If you feel like something has gone wrong and you want to challenge the decision – for example, if you haven’t qualified for Pension Age Disability Payment, or you received a lower rate than you expected – see our factsheet What to do if you disagree with a benefits decision.

If your situation changes – for example, if you go into hospital, move to a care home or go abroad – contact Social Security Scotland. You should also contact them if you’re getting a lower rate and your personal care and supervision needs increase, or if you’re getting a higher rate and your needs decrease,