Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland) - Can I get Pension Age Disability Payment?

To be entitled to Pension Age Disability Payment you must need help during the day and/or night-time. This means that you need frequent help or supervision during the day, or someone to give you care or attention repeatedly during the night.

You can have any type of disability or illness, including sight or hearing impairments, or mental health issues such as dementia or depression.

Pension Age Disability Payment does not cover mobility needs.

To claim Pension Age Disability Payment, you must have needed help with your care needs for at least 26 weeks. (If you’re terminally ill , you can make a claim straight away.)

You cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment if you already get:

• Adult Disability Payment / Personal Independence Payment
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance

You must be living in Scotland when you make a claim for Pension Age Disability Payment and Scotland must be where you normally live. You must also have lived in Scotland for 26 weeks of the past 52 weeks.

There are special rules for some people who are living in, or have returned from, a European Economic Area country. The rules can be complicated, so if this applies to you, we recommend that you read our guide on Migrants or seek advice from a benefits expert. You can use the Turn2us Find an Adviser tool to find a local one.

Rules for people with refugee or humanitarian protection status

You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have refugee status, humanitarian protection, or have permission to stay in the UK as a dependant of someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection.

If you live in a care home or enter hospital

You can’t get Pension Age Disability Payment if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by a Local Authority. You can only receive it if you are paying for your own care.

In general, your Pension Age Disability Payment will stop if you are in hospital for more than four weeks. However, your payments will restart once you tell Social Security Scotland after you leave hospital. For more information, please read our Hospital and benefits guide.

Rules for people who have a terminal illness

If your doctors say that you are terminally ill and that your illness is reasonably expected to cause your death, there are special rules to help you automatically get the highest rate of Pension Age Disability Payment straight away.

You normally only have to complete Part 1 off the application form if you are terminally ill . You also do not have to have had care needs for 26 weeks before you claim. 

Your doctor/healthcare professional will need to complete a Benefits Assessment Under Special Rules in Scotland (BASRiS) form. If they need support completing the form, they can call the clinicians’ helpline on 01382 931060, or visit the Social Security Scotland website.

Another person, such as your partner, relative or friend, can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment on your behalf without your knowledge under the special rules. However, even if someone else makes the claim for you, the money will be paid to you.