Pension Age Disability Payment
What is Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)?
Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is a benefit for people who are State Pension age or over and live in Scotland.
If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you need to apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
PADP is for people who have problems looking after themselves (personal care needs) because of an illness or disability.
If you are under State Pension age, apply for Adult Disability Payment instead.
Attendance Allowance in Scotland
In Scotland, Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced Attendance Allowance (AA).
If you live in Scotland and currently get AA, you do not need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment. DWP and Social Security Scotland will move you to the new benefit without you having to do anything.
The DWP will continue to pay you AA until you start getting Pension Age Disability Payment. You do not need to contact the DWP to stop your AA payments. To learn more about this change, visit mygov.scot.
Can I claim PADP?
You can get PADP if you have had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition.
It is also important to know that:
- you do not need to have someone caring for you to get PADP
- you do not need a diagnosed health condition to start a claim
- you can start a claim even if you have not had care needs for 6 months – you may be able to start getting PADP when you get to 6 months if your application is successful.
If you have a terminal illness you can claim under special rules. The 6 months rule does not apply.
Terminal illness (special rules)
If you are terminally ill, you can apply using a process called special rules.
Claiming PADP under special rules means:
- you may get a decision faster
- you will get the highest rate of PADP payment
- you will not need to have a review unless your circumstances change
- you will get PADP no matter how long you have been ill
- you may be able to get backdated payments.
How do I claim PADP?
You can apply online, or by phone and paper.
If you use British Sign Language, you can use the Contact Scotland service to contact Social Security Scotland.
There are 2 parts to the application:
- Part 1 – personal details. You must either complete online within 14 days or by calling 0800 182 2222.
- Part 2 – questions about your needs. You must complete within 8 weeks, either online or using the paper application form you are sent. If you cannot complete the form within this time, you can ask for longer.
If you are terminally ill and claiming under special rules you, or someone you give permission to, only have to complete part 1.
Part 1
Part 1 asks for your personal details including:
- your date of birth
- your main address
- your National Insurance number - you can find this on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
- bank, building society or credit union account details, if you have these.
Part 2
Part 2 checks what help and support you need. The form asks questions about any disability or health conditions and how these affect your daily needs. It also asks for contact details for people who are involved in your care or who understand your care needs.
Here are some tips for completing the form:
- Make sure you have plenty of time to complete the form. You may find it helpful to read it through first. Then you can get all the information you need before you start.
- Try to include as much detail as possible. You can record any problems you have every day in a diary to show how your condition affects your daily life. We have a diary you can use to do this. You can send it as supporting evidence along with your form.
It may also be helpful to get evidence about your illness from the people looking after you. Send this with your form, or soon afterwards. You could ask for evidence from your:
- GP
- cancer doctor or clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- support worker
- carer – this is anyone who gives you help and support that you could not manage without, such as help with daily tasks
- consultant.
You can also include a statement of support from someone who knows you and understands your needs.
How much PADP could I get?
PADP is paid at 2 different rates. The rate you get depends on how much care you need:
- lower rate – if you need help or supervision either during the day or night
- higher rate – if you need help or supervision both during the day and night or if you are terminally ill.
PADP is not means-tested. Your income and savings are not taken into account. They will not affect any award you might get.
Normally you are paid PADP every 4 weeks for the previous 4 weeks. It is paid into the account on your application. If you are terminally ill and claiming under special rules, PADP is paid weekly in advance.
You can find out the current rates of payment at mygov.scot.
How is my PADP application assessed?
What happens if my claim is approved?
What happens if I am refused PADP?
What happens if my situation changes?
You must contact Social Security Scotland if:
- you change bank account
- your circumstances changes
- you no longer need PADP.
Find out more about the other benefits and financial support available for people living with cancer.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
-
References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our benefits information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
GOV.UK www.gov.uk [accessed May 2025].
NI Direct www.nidirect.gov.uk [accessed May 2025].
Social Security Scotland www.socialsecurity.gov.scot [accessed May 2025].
Macmillan Welfare Rights Team
Reviewer
Date reviewed
Our cancer information meets the PIF TICK quality mark.
This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.
The language we use
We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.
We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:
- use plain English
- explain medical words
- use short sentences
- use illustrations to explain text
- structure the information clearly
- make sure important points are clear.
We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.
You can read more about how we produce our information here.