The SNP Scottish Government has extended eligibility for the Pension Age Disability Payment to the Western Isles and 12 other local authority areas, ahead of its national rollout as the 15th devolved Social Security payment on 22nd April.
The new payment is for people of State Pension age living with disabilities or long-term health conditions, taking a fairer and more respectful approach than the existing UK-wide Attendance Allowance, which (for example) only classes people as terminally ill if they are expected to live for 12 months or less.
The PADP automatically entitles the terminally ill to the highest level of payment, regardless of how long they are expected to live. The payment, which is not means-tested, will be worth between £290 and £434 a month, increasing to between £295 and £441 a month from 1 April 2025.
Commenting, SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said:
“Despite the UK Labour government’s spate of cruel decisions, such as cutting the Winter Fuel Payment and slashing PIP provision, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to mitigate against these cuts and delivering the financial support that our older disabled people deserve.
“I welcome the rollout of the Pension Age Disability Payment to the Western Isles, particularly with the change that terminally ill people are automatically entitled to the highest level of payment, regardless of estimations about life expectancy – a marked change from Westminster's Attendance Allowance.
“This new benefit marks another step forward in the SNP Government’s commitment to creating a fairer, more compassionate social security system tailored to the needs of the people in the Western Isles, with the principles of dignity, fairness, and respect at its heart.
"I urge all those in the Outer Hebrides who think they may be eligible to apply today.”
https://www.gov.scot/news/pension-age-disability-payment-opens-for-applications-in-13-local-authority-areas/
