Yesterday, the benefit was extended to 14 more areas - Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

The national rollout follows successful pilots in 18 local authority areas, which began in October. It is the fifteenth benefit to be delivered by the Scottish Government and it is replacing the UK Government’s Attendance Allowance, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Pension Age Disability Payment is for disabled people or those with a long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe. It is available to people of State Pension age and is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill.

People currently getting Attendance Allowance do not need to take any action; the transfer will happen automatically in phases throughout 2025. Everyone will continue to receive their payments on time and in the right amount.

Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The national launch of Pension Age Disability Payment is an important milestone in the development of our social security system, that will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.

“The pilot phases have allowed us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before rolling the benefit out across Scotland.

“It is vital older people who are disabled, terminally ill or those who have care needs get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and live with dignity. 

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone gets the financial support they’re entitled to and this has not changed following the UK Government’s announcement on benefit reforms.”

Chief executive at Age Scotland, Katherine Crawford, said: “Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital means of support for older people who have a disability or long-term health condition.

“With rising bills and cost of living stretching many beyond their means, it’s vital that older people are not missing out on any financial support.”

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, added: “With the national rollout of the new Pension Age Disability Payment which replaces Attendance Allowance in Scotland, it’s really important that eligible older people receive this support, and everything else, that they’re entitled to. Our Older People’s Economic Wellbeing Index Scotland found that one in four (24%) people in later life with a health condition are not aware of disability related social security payments.  

“This is money for people of State Pension age who are disabled, have a long-term health condition, or are terminally ill. It is not means tested.”