Age Scotland is the Scottish charity for older people. We work to improve the lives of everyone over the age of 50 and promote their rights and interests.
Our vision is a Scotland which is the best place in the world to grow older.
Our mission is to inspire, involve and empower older people in Scotland, and influence others, so that people enjoy better later lives.
We have three strategic aims:
We help older people to be as well as they can be
We promote a positive view of ageing and later life
We tackle loneliness and isolation
How we can help
We know that growing older doesn’t come with a manual. Later life can bring changes and opportunities to your life and you may need to know about rights, organisations and services which are unfamiliar to you.
That’s why we provide free information and advice to help you on a range of topics including benefits and entitlements, social care, legal issues such as Power of Attorney, housing and much more. All of our guides are available to download for free from our website, or you can contact our helpline team to have copies posted to you for free.
Our helpline is a free, confidential phone service for older people, their carers and families in Scotland looking for information and advice.
Later life can bring times when you just need someone to talk to. Our friendship line is part of our wider helpline and older people can call us for a chat. We’re here to listen, provide friendship and offer support.
This information guide has been prepared by Age Scotland and contains general advice only. It should not be relied upon as a basis for any decision or action, nor used as a substitute for professional advice. Neither Age Scotland nor any of its subsidiary companies or charities accepts any liability arising from its use and it is the reader’s sole responsibility to ensure any information is up to date and accurate.
Please note that the inclusion of named agencies, websites, companies, products, services or publications in this information guide does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Age Scotland or any of its subsidiary companies or charities.
Introduction
This guide provides information about the recent changes in Scotland to benefits and social security that are most likely to affect older people. These changes include Social Security Scotland delivering more devolved benefits, and the introduction of Universal Credit.
Age Scotland runs workshops explaining the benefits available to older people. Visit www.age.scot/workshops or call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for more information.
You can also order copies of our individual benefit guides, which are updated at least annually. Call the Age Scotland helpline or visit www.age.scot/publications.
Devolution of Welfare Powers
Certain benefits have been devolved to Scotland Under the Smith Commission agreement of November 2014.
The Scottish Parliament consulted widely about how best to use its new powers. It set up Social Security Experience Panels of more than 2,400 people with recent experience of claiming benefits to advise about how Scottish benefits should work.
It passed the Social Security (Scotland) Act in April 2018, and Scottish Welfare Powers now include responsibility for the below benefits:
• Pension Age Disability Payment - replaces Attendance Allowance
• Carer Support Payment - replaces Carer’s Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance Supplement - a Scottish benefit paid to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment
• Adult Disability Payment - replaces Personal Independence Payment
• Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - replaces Disability Living Allowance
• Discretionary Housing Payments (help with payment of rent)
Other benefits continue to be delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), including State Pension, Pension Credit and Universal Credit. However, people in Scotland claiming Universal Credit can now ask for their payments to be made every two weeks instead of monthly, and for the rent part to be paid directly to their landlord.
State Pension age
The age you can start claiming State Pension has increased over recent years and is now 66 for everyone. From 6 May 2026, State Pension age will start gradually increasing again and will reach 67 by 6 March 2028.
The Government carries out regular reviews of State Pension age. The next review is scheduled to take place by July 2026.
Your State Pension age is also the age you can start claiming Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment, and usually Pension Credit, if you are eligible.
To check your State Pension age (and your Pension Credit age) visit www.gov.uk/state-pension-age or call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
State Pension
There is a new Single Tier State Pension for anyone who reached their State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. The rules are different than for people who reached their State Pension age earlier. You usually need at least 10 years’ National Insurance contributions or credits to qualify for the new State Pension, and 35 years of contributions or credits to receive the full amount.
The full rate is set at £230.25 in 2025/26, although many people will receive less than this amount.
For a forecast of your State Pension see www.gov.uk/check-state-pension or call the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175.
For more information, you can order a free copy of our State Pension guide. Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 or visit www.age.scot/information. State Pension
Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland. From winter 2025/26 it will be paid by Social Security Scotland. Most payments will be made automatically, starting in November.
To be eligible, you must be State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week, which is 15 to 21 September 2025, and living in either Scotland or a qualifying country abroad. There are some exclusions for people in residential care, hospital or custody during the qualifying week. Your annual taxable income must also be £35,000 or less; if it is more than this, the payment you receive will be reclaimed as income tax. You can choose to opt out of the payment if you prefer, and can opt back in if your situation changes.
Payment amount
People who receive a relevant benefit during the qualifying week will receive a single payment per benefit claim. This means if you claim as an individual, you will receive the full amount yourself. If you have a joint benefit claim, you will receive one payment to be shared with your joint claimant, or claimants.
The payment amount depends on the age of the benefit claimant(s). If the individual, or all claimants, are aged 66-79 during the qualifying week, the payment amount will be £203.40. If the individual, or at least one claimant, is 80+ by the end of the qualifying week, the payment amount will be £305.10.
There is expected to be a different payment amount for people not receiving a relevant benefit who are State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week. The details and rules about this are still being finalised.
More information about the payment will be available from autumn 2025, including how to opt out. You can call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 with any questions.
Means-tested working age benefits
To be entitled to a means-tested benefit, a financial assessment must show you qualify. Your assessed income must usually be below a certain amount. This amount depends on which benefit you are applying for and on your specific situation. Often, your savings and the value of your capital, such as properties you own, must also be below a certain level.
Universal Credit is the main means-tested benefit for people under State Pension age. It was introduced in 2013 and is being rolled out to replace most other working age means-tested benefits.
If you are claiming Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit for working age people, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, or Working Tax Credit, you will eventually be moved onto Universal Credit instead. Like the benefits it replaces, Universal Credit includes some additional amounts for unpaid carers, people unable to work due to sickness or disability, rent payments and the costs of looking after children.
You can claim Universal Credit online at www.gov.uk/applyuniversal-credit. It is usually paid monthly in arrears calculated on your income the previous month, but people in Scotland can receive Universal Credit payments twice a month instead and can ask for the rent part of their Universal Credit to be paid directly to their landlord.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can help you if you need support to claim Universal Credit. You can call one of their Help to Claim advisers on 0800 023 2581 or visit www.cas.org.uk/helptoclaim.
For advice about Universal Credit call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 or see our Universal Credit guide.
Means-tested benefits and mixedage couples
‘Mixed-age’ couples (one working age, one State Pension age) on a low income used to claim Pension Credit if they were entitled to means-tested help. Changes introduced with the Welfare Reform Act 2012 mean that since 15 May 2019, a couple must now both be State Pension age to make a new claim for Pension Credit.
Mixed-age couples on a low income should now instead apply for Universal Credit. This change does not affect couples whose claims for Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit started before 15 May 2019.
In a Universal Credit claim, the working age member of the couple will be required to prove their eligibility for Universal Credit. They may need to show (for example) why they cannot work, that they are preparing for work, or that they are working but have reason to claim. The requirements will be specific to each claim.
Both Pension Credit and Universal Credit top up your income to rates set by the Government. The rates for Universal Credit are significantly lower than the rates for Pension Credit.
For 2025/26:
Pension Credit basic rate for a couple is £346.60 per week
Universal Credit basic rate for a couple is around £144.95 per week
(£628.10 per month)
Your rate may be higher if you have other needs or responsibilities. Many couples will not receive either Universal Credit or Pension Credit because of a pension income that is too high.
For more information, or for advice on your situation, call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
Help with rent
Housing Benefit (also called Local Housing Allowance when paid to private tenants) is a means-tested benefit to help with rent. Housing Benefit is gradually being replaced by Universal Credit for people who are working age or part of a mixed-age couple. This change has already happened in some areas of Scotland and will be completed by 2029.
You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if:
• you (and your partner, if you have one) have reached State Pension age
• you are part of a mixed-age couple, and one of you has been receiving Pension Credit since before 15 May 2019
• you live in temporary accommodation, or
• you live in sheltered or supported accommodation.
To find out if you are eligible for Housing Benefit, visit www.mygov.scot/claim-housing-benefit or call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
If you are working age and currently claiming Housing Benefit, you will get a letter telling you about your options and what you need to do. If you are unsure what is best for you, speak to a benefits adviser. You can search for one in your area at www.advicelocal.uk or call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 and ask for a benefit check.
Housing advice is also available from Shelter Scotland. Call 0808 800 4444 or visit scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice.
Pension Credit includes some help with housingrelated costs, but not with rent. See Age Scotland’s Pension Credit guide for more information.
Discretionary Housing Payment
If you get help with your rent and are still struggling to meet your housing costs, you can apply to your local council for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is a one-off payment to help people on a low income who are struggling to meet their housing costs. You may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment if you are affected by the Bedroom Tax, which was introduced 15 May 2019. The Bedroom Tax reduces Housing Benefit for mixed-age couples who rent from a council or housing association and are considered to live in a home too large for their needs.
Disability benefits for adults
In Scotland, the main disability benefit for working-age adults is now Adult Disability Payment. If you are State Pension age and making a new disability benefit application in Scotland, you should now apply for Pension Age Disability Payment.
Some State Pension age adults still receive one of two older benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions: Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance.
If you still receive Personal Independence Payment, you will be transferred to Adult Disability Payment. If you are still getting Disability Living Allowance, you will be transferred to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance, a new benefit paid by Social Security Scotland.
These changes will happen during 2025. You do not need to do anything to transfer your benefit. You will be contacted before the transfer takes place with further information. There should be no break in payments, and in most cases your award will stay the same unless your needs or situation have changed.
Anyone born after 8 April 1948 who is transferred to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance will have the option to apply for Adult Disability Payment instead within two years of their transfer. If this applies to you, it is a good idea to get advice on which benefit will be best for you. Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 to speak to a benefits advisor.
If you have a vehicle provided by the Motability Scheme and your needs or situation have not changed, your new benefit should continue to support this. There is no mobility component for Pension Age Disability Payment. Call the Age Scotland helpline for more information or advice.
Situation
Currently receiving Personal Independence Payment
Currently receiving Disability Living Allowance and no change of circumstances up to early 2025
What next?
Will be transferred to Adult Disability Payment during 2025
• Starting early 2025, will be transferred to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
• If born after 8 April 1948, option to apply for Adult Disability Payment within two years of transfer
Currently receiving Disability Living Allowance and relevant change in circumstances before the launch of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
Currently receiving Adult Disability Payment
Making a new claim for an adult disability benefit
Will be transferred to Adult Disability Payment
Will continue to receive Adult Disability Payment
• Working age: apply for Adult Disability Payment
• State Pension age: apply for Pension Age Disability Payment
Age Scotland has individual guides on Adult Disability Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment. Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 to order copies, and for information on Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.
Support if you have dependent children
As Child Tax Credit is phased out, Pension Credit and Universal Credit can include elements for dependent children. The weekly amounts for dependent children if you receive Pension Credit are:
First child (if born before 6 April 2017)
First child (if born on or after 6 April 2017) and subsequent children
£78.10 in 2025/26
£67.42 in 2025/26
For Universal Credit, the amounts are almost the same but are paid monthly. For both benefits, additional amounts are paid if a child is considered to be disabled.
If you receive payments for dependent children under 16 as part of your Pension Credit or Universal Credit, you should also be entitled to Scottish Child Payment from Social Security Scotland. Call them on 0800 182 2222 or visit www.mygov.scot/scottishchildpayment to find out more.
Support for Mortgage Interest
People who own their own home and receive Pension Credit can get help paying interest on their mortgage, or on loans taken out for home improvement. This is called Support for Mortgage Interest. Since April 2018, this is available only as a loan secured against your home, that must be repaid with interest when your home is sold or transferred.
If you claim Pension Credit and need help to pay your mortgage, contact an independent advice agency for advice straight away. Visit www.mygov.scot/free-debt-advice for a list of organisations who could help, or call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
Useful contacts
Age Scotland helpline 0800 12 44 222
The Age Scotland helpline provides information, friendship and advice to older people, their relatives and carers.
If you need an interpreter, call 0800 12 44 222 and simply state the language you need e.g. Polish or Urdu. Stay on the line for a few minutes and the Age Scotland helpline will do the rest.
You can call us for a copy of our publications list. You can also read, download or order publications at www.age.scot/information.
Citizens Advice
Provides free, confidential and independent advice on a wide range of welfare topics, including money and benefits. Use the website or number below to find details of your local bureau.
www.cas.org.uk/get-advice
0800 028 1456
Social Security Scotland
For information and to claim benefits now paid by the Scottish Government.
www.socialsecurity.gov.scot
0800 182 2222
How you can help
Our vision is a Scotland which is the best place in the world to grow older.
All the information we provide is free and impartial. It helps older people access their rights and entitlements and can be life changing.
We are also a lifeline for older people who are feeling lonely and isolated. You can help us to support older people who need us most. Together, we can make a difference.
Make a donation
No matter how small or large, donations make a massive difference and help us continue our important work.
Call 03330 15 14 60
Visit age.scot/donate
Complete the donation form and return by Freepost
Fundraise
Whether it’s having a bake sale or running a marathon, there are so many ways to raise vital funds to support our work. To find out more, call 0333 323 2400 or visit age.scot/fundraise.
Leave us a gift in your Will
By choosing to leave us a gift in your Will, your legacy will help us to continue being there for older people for generations to come. To find out more, call 0333 323 2400 or visit age.scot/legacy.
Please donate today
Complete the form and return by Freepost to RSBS-KEHC-GBBC, Age Scotland, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR
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Keeping in touch
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Age Scotland is the Scottish charity for older people. We work to improve the lives of everyone over
the
age of 50
so that they
can love later life. Our vision is a Scotland which is the best place in the world to grow older.
Let’s keep in touch
Contact us:
Head office
0333 323 2400
Age Scotland helpline 0800 12 44 222
Email info@agescotland.org.uk
Visit our website www.agescotland.org.uk
Sign up to our newsletter
Our regular newsletters by email contain details of our campaigns, services and how you can support our work.
Sign up today at age.scot/roundup
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Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number: SC153343. Charity Number: SC010100. Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR
We are grateful to the Scottish Government for part-funding this publication
