Aberdeenshire pensioners benefit from additional support
A Scottish Government decision to extended eligibility for the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) to 13 more local authority areas - including Aberdeenshire - has been welcomed.
This is ahead of its national rollout as the 15th Social Security Scotland payment on April 22.
The new payment is for people of State Pension age living with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
The existing UK-wide Attendance Allowance 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 April 1, 2025.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said: “In light of the UK Labour government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment and slash PIP provision, the Scottish Government is delivering the financial support that our older disabled people deserve.
“I welcome the rollout of the Pension Age Disability Payment to Aberdeenshire as the terminally ill will automatically be entitled to the highest level of payment, regardless of life expectancy – a marked change from Westminster's Attendance Allowance.
“This new benefit marks another step forward in the Scottish Government’s commitment to creating a fairer, more compassionate social security system tailored to the needs of the people of Aberdeenshire, with the principles of dignity, fairness and respect at its heart.
"I urge all those in Aberdeenshire who think they may be eligible to apply today.”
