A new disability benefit for people over State Pension age is due to launch in October. By the end of this year there will be 15 benefits and payments only people living in Scotland will be able to claim. A phased rollout of Carer Support Payment is already underway in seven council areas and will gradually replace all new claims for Carer's Allowance, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Carer Support Payment will be available to new claimants in Fife, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and North, East and South Ayrshire from August 19 before rolling out nationwide across Scotland this Autumn. Another new payment launching its pilot phase later this year is specifically for people over State Pension age with a health condition, disability or long-term physical or mental illness. Pension Age Disability Payment will replace Attendance Allowance for new claimants from October and eventually for those already receiving the DWP benefit.
Full details on all the benefits and payments only available to people living in Scotland are listed below. If you are worried about money, energy or housing bills, the best place to start is the Cost of Living Support Scotland website - a portal designed to help people of all ages quickly access help and advice about money, benefits, health, energy bills and debt. People on a low income or income-related benefits, struggling to keep up with the economic impact of the ongoing cost of living crisis may be able to get cash help from.