Scotland Nears Completion of Attendance Allowance Transfer

As the new year approaches, Social Security Scotland has nearly completed the transfer of Attendance Allowance payments from the Department for Work and Pensions to its devolved Pension Age Disability Payment system, affecting over 155,000 claimants in Scotland. By January 1, 2025, all but 28 complex cases will have shifted to the new benefit, ensuring continuity for pensioners with long-term health conditions or disabilities. This milestone coincides with adjusted payment schedules for various state benefits due to bank holidays on January 1 and, in Scotland, January 2.

The transition, which began earlier this year, has moved more than 700,000 disability and carer benefit cases to Social Security Scotland without requiring recipients to reapply. Officials confirmed that the process met its target for completion by year's end, with the remaining cases expected to transfer in the coming weeks. Claimants with Scottish postcodes should have received notification letters by now; those who have not are advised to contact Social Security Scotland at 0800 182 2222 or via webchat, though services will be unavailable on January 1 and 2 due to holidays.