Pension Age Disability Payment - Mobility Component

Age Scotland and a coalition of 15 other organisations are calling for the Scottish Government to improve plans for the new Pension Age Disability Payment by providing a mobility component to help recipients with their mobility needs.

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 behind this call 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.

They have produced a paper making the case for a mobility component to be included in the new payment, which is due to be piloted in Autumn 2024 before national roll-out in early 2025. 

The organisations supporting the call are:

• Age Scotland
• The ALLIANCE
• Asthma + Lung UK Scotland
• Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
• Citizens Advice Scotland
• Disability Equality Scotland
• Inclusion Scotland
• Marie Curie

• MS Society Scotland
• Parkinson’s UK Scotland
• Scottish Women’s Convention
• Sight Scotland
• Sight Scotland Veterans
• Stroke Association
• Voluntary Health Scotland
• Welfare Scotland

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.

The organisations behind the paper believe the Scottish Government has an opportunity to improve fairness and quality of life for older disabled people by including a mobility component within PADP. Providing a mobility component would also be in keeping with the rights-based approach being taken by Social Security Scotland to the delivery of social security in Scotland. 

Alex's story

Alex is 79 and receives Attendance Allowance. He continued to work up until the age of 77, but had to retire two years ago due to ill health. Recently, he has been trying to get a Motability vehicle. As there is no mobility component within Attendance Allowance this has not been possible. Alex says he has “been down every avenue” looking for support with his mobility needs. He feels the fact he cannot get a Motability vehicle because he is above State Pension Age is an example of age discrimination.

Read more about why Alex believes there should be a mobility component for PADP in our paper 

Alison's story

Alison had been in receipt of Disability Living Allowance since the early 2000s and had a Motability vehicle through her award. When she was 68, she was reassessed and lost her DLA and Motability vehicle “overnight” in what she describes as a “double whammy” blow. Alison lives in a small village in the Highlands and she says it can be hard for her to get out without her Motability vehicle. Local bus services are infrequent, finish at 17:30, and do not run at weekends. Additionally, buses are not always suitable for wheelchair users. 

Read more about why Alison wants to see a mobility component included within PADP in our paper