ALLIANCE backs calls for pension age disability payment to go further
- Section: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 3rd November 2023
Organisations including Age Scotland have come together to call on the Scottish Government to include a mobility component in the payment.
A coalition of 15 national charities and organisations coordinated by Age Scotland, and including the ALLIANCE, is calling on the Scottish Government to improve their plans for the new Pension Age Disability Payment by including extra mobility and travel support for recipients. This would make the system fairer and offer disabled older people a better quality of life.
This extra support, called a mobility component, is available to younger people and people below State Pension age in receipt of disability linked social security such as Personal Independence Payment and Child and Adult Disability Payment, but has not previously been part of the older age equivalent, Attendance Allowance. Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is set to replace Attendance Allowance as a social security benefit in Scotland when it is devolved from next year to Social Security Scotland from the Department for Work and Pensions.
The organisations supporting the call for a mobility component are Age Scotland, Citizens Advice Scotland, The ALLIANCE, Parkinson’s UK Scotland, Inclusion Scotland, Voluntary Health Scotland, Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, MS Society Scotland, Disability Equality Scotland, Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, Scottish Women’s Convention, Stroke Association, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Marie Curie.
We believe including a mobility component would help safeguard older people’s independence and participation in society, enhance wellbeing, tackle social isolation and loneliness, and relieve pressure on frontline services, all while combatting poverty and low income challenges.
Attendance Allowance is a much-valued payment which helps many disabled older people with costs and promotes independence. However, although the equivalent disability benefits for children and working age people include a mobility component, Attendance Allowance does not.
A mobility component could potentially give disabled people over State Pension age – who cannot currently get any help through the benefits system with their mobility needs – access to the Motability Scheme, automatic eligibility for a Blue Badge, and the opportunity to apply for an exemption from paying vehicle tax.
The organisations have produced a paper making the case for a mobility component to be included in the new payment and written to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice urging the Scottish Government to commit to exploring this proposal. The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has also received a copy of the paper, which is available from the Age Scotland website here.
End of page.
You may also like:
Opportunity to add your organisation's name to a joint civil society letter to Scottish Government in support of human rights.
Continue readingThe research highlights challenges facing dementia carers and what support they need.
Continue readingThe pilot is the first part of the phased roll-out that will lead to the payment being available across Scotland by autumn 2024.
Continue readingA total of 110 organisations have backed the CCPS letter calling for increased pay for social care workers.
Continue readingThe plans outline the actions both Scottish and Local governments will take to deliver on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Chief Officer of Development, Sara Redmond, gave evidence to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has joined partners in the HRCS to call for the Scottish Government to ensure the bill applies as widely as possible.
Continue readingInnovative policy and research launched to support NHS Scotland employees with periods and menopause at work.
Continue readingThere is strong public support for a new National Outcome on care, as a majority of the public feel care is not currently valued enough.
Continue readingThe UK's social security system is a significant contributor to need for food banks, particularly for disabled people.
Continue readingGovernment support must prioritise those most affected by the crisis.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcomes the opportunity to respond to the consultation on an Older People's Commissioner.
Continue readingThe Scottish Government has published a recommendation report.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE have published their draft response to the Human Rights Bill Consultation.
Continue readingThe proposed board, agreed between the Government, COSLA and NHS, will aim to provide effective national oversight.
Continue readingThe study is looking for input from people who are underemployed and working in health and social care
Continue readingChanges to build a fairer tax system in Scotland could boost spending on key national priorities by hundreds of millions per year
Continue readingThe crisis is impacting every aspect of the sector including funding, services and staffing, whilst deepening existing challenges.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE have published an event summary report on social care and the Scottish Human Rights Bill consultation.
Continue readingGovernment agenda includes a welcome reopening of the Independent Living Fund, but must back up warm words on Community Links Practitioners.
Continue readingThe closing date for the national engagement phase of Let's Be Heard has been extended to 20 December 2023.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE and Scottish Government have produced several resources on polycystic ovary syndrome, in support of the Women's Health Plan.
Continue readingScottish Parliament committees have been taking evidence on key priorities in advance of the annual Scottish Budget.
Continue readingThe second National Care Service National Forum will take place in Glasgow in October, following further co-design sessions.
Continue readingGuide from the Human Rights Consortium Scotland to help organisations response to the Scottish Government consultation on incorporation.
Continue reading