SNP GOVERNMENT ROLLS OUT NEW PAYMENT FOR PENSIONERS IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE

NEW PENSION AGE DISABILITY PAYMENT REPLACES ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE 

The SNP Scottish Government has introduced the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) in North Lanarkshire and across Scotland with the national rollout of a new, fairer replacement to Attendance Allowance.  

Clare Adamson, SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw has welcomed the move to PADP as a fairer system than the UK Government’s Attendance Allowance.

The payment is for people of state pension age living with a disability or long-term health condition.  

PADP takes a fairer, more dignified approach to supporting pensioners than Attendance Allowance. While Attendance Allowance only classes those with terminal illness as eligible to receive support if they are expected to live for 12 months or less, PADP classes terminally ill people as eligible regardless of how long they are expected to live. 

The payment, which is not means-tested, is paid either at a higher rate of £441 a month, or a lower rate of £295 a month. Under PADP, terminally ill recipients are automatically entitled to the highest level of payment - which is not the case under Attendance Allowance. 

Clare Adamson, SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said: 

“Social security is a basic safety net and it has been under attack from the UK Labour Government.  The language being used about sick and disabled people receiving critical financial support has been appalling.

“In Scotland, we are building a more compassionate system with the limited powers we have; we are making things fairer where we can. 

“Since coming to power, Labour has cut the Winter Fuel Payment and slashed PIP provision.  They are balancing the books on the back of older, sick, and disabled people.  The SNP Scottish Government is stepping in to deliver much needed support for older disabled people in Motherwell and Wishaw and across Scotland.

“The Pension Age Disability Payment is now being rolled out in North Lanarkshire.  One key change from Westminster’s Attendance Allowance is that people living with terminal illness will automatically be entitled to the highest level of payment, regardless of life expectancy.  That is a matter of basic compassion when someone is going through an unimaginably difficult time.

“This new benefit is the 15th delivered by Social Security Scotland with the principle of dignity, fairness, and respect at its heart. 

"I am encouraging my constituents in Motherwell and Wishaw to check your eligibility and apply.”  

You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment online, or by phone and paper application.  To check your eligibility and apply, visit mygov.scot/pension-age-disability-payment or, for help with your application, call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

You do not need to make a new application for Pension Age Disability Payment if you already get Attendance Allowance.  Social Security Scotland will move your benefit to Pension Age Disability Payment without you having to do anything.

Pension Age Disability Payment opens for applications nationwide - gov.scot