22 hours Ago By Zoe Phillips
A NEW benefit payment has been launched to help thousands in Scotland. The pension age disability payment will aim to support those of state pension age who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or are terminally ill. 1 A new benefit has been launched to help thousands in Scotland Credit: Alamy The new benefit - which will be open for applications in Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen , Orkney, Shetland and Highland council areas from today - will provide between £290 and £434 per month to successful applicants.
It will be rolled out across the country by next spring. It will replace the current attendance allowance offered by the UK Government, and those already in receipt will have their claims moved to Social Security Scotland in early 2025. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville welcomed the rollout, saying it is "more important than ever that older disabled people across Scotland get all the financial support they are entitled to" due to the cost of living .
Read more money TAXING TIMES 11 codes on payslips that reveal if HMRC owes you a tax refund HOUSE THAT We were rejected for a mortgage for odd reason, but still managed to buy a home "This new benefit has been developed by listening to older disabled people and we have made many changes, including making it easier for them to nominate someone to support them in their engagement with Social Security Scotland, something they told us was important to them," she said. "I would encourage anyone who thinks they are eligible for pension age disability payment to apply. "It's important they get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and get support to live with the dignity and respect that we all deserve as we get older.
" While Debbie Horne, the Scotland policy and public affairs manager at Independent Age, said support for the costs associated with a disability "are an essential part" of the social security system. Most read in Money SPICE IT UP Curry 'hotter than of hell' with world's spiciest pepper at major supermarket LEAF US BE I'm TRAPPED by 'dangerous' tree - I want it gone but I'm not allowed to chop it XMAS FIND M&S shoppers rush to buy £5 chocolate gift that makes 'lovely stocking filler' SHUTTERS DOWN Outdoor clothing chain with over 100 locations announces store will close "Putting dignity and respect at the heart of how the payment is delivered is essential," she said. Martin Lewis issues urgent warning to hundreds of thousands of pensioners missing out on 'superpower' benefit worth £3,900 a year "We hope changes made to the payment, such as making it simpler for people at the end of their life to get support, result in an improved experience for older people applying for the payment in Scotland.
" A fast-track process will be put in place for applicants diagnosed with a terminal illness. Tommy Campbell, an executive committee member at the Scottish Pensioners' Forum, said: "We support many people of stage pension age and over with long-term health conditions such as dementia , Alzheimer's and arthritis who would really benefit from this financial support. "We hope that the rollout of this pilot programme over the coming months will demonstrate and deliver on this.
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