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1.1 Million Pensioners Are Missing Out on Attendance Allowance, Officials Say

In Scotland, new claims now run through Social Security Scotland’s Pension Age Disability Payment with average decisions in about a week.

Overview

  • More than 1.7 million people already receive the non‑means‑tested benefit at £73.90 or £110.40 a week, usually paid every four weeks.
  • Government and research estimates indicate around 1.1 million eligible pensioners are not claiming, leaving billions unclaimed and potentially missing linked help such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax reductions.
  • In Scotland, Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced new Attendance Allowance claims and existing awards are scheduled to transfer to Social Security Scotland by the end of 2025.
  • Social Security Scotland reports average processing times of seven working days from application to decision, reduced to two days for terminal illness fast‑track cases.
  • Successful PADP applications submitted before the December qualifying week may count for the DWP’s separate £10 Christmas Bonus, which is paid automatically as a distinct deposit.