The Pension Age Disability Benefit, which is replacing Attendance Allowance, will be trialled in five council areas later this year.

The Scottish Government has announced the five Scottish local authorities taking part in the pilot, from October 21 this year.

Pensioners in Argyll & Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland will be the first in the country to be eligible for the new disability benefit, subject to parliamentary approval of regulations.

The benefit will then become available in 13 more local authority areas on March 24 next year.

The Scottish Government said it will then be rolled out across Scotland by April 22, 2025.

More than 150,000 people in Scotland currently get Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Affected Attendance Allowance recipients will not need to take any action, the Scottish Government said, as their awards will be automatically moved from the DWP to Social Security Scotland.

This process will happen in phases, with the first expected to be transferred in early 2025.

Pension Age Disability Benefit is intended for people of state pension age who have a disability or long-term health condition which means they need help to look after themselves or supervision to keep safe.

The payment is not means-tested, meaning it is not dependent on income.

The Pension Age Disability Benefit is worth between £290 and £434 a month, depending on the needs of the recipient.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “In the midst of the cost of living crisis it is more important than ever that older people get the support they’re entitled to.

“We developed Pension Age Disability Payment by listening to the people who would be applying for it and those who support them.

"We made changes including making it easier for an eligible person to nominate a third party representative, something people told us was important for many older people.

“The pilot phase will allow us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before the benefit is rolled out across Scotland.

“If you think you might be eligible for support right now, I encourage you to apply for Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.

“Anyone getting that benefit will automatically have their award transferred to Pension Age Disability Payment next year so there is no reason to wait.”

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Full list of councils in Pension Age Disability Payment pilot:

Pensioners in the following areas will be eligible from October 21, 2024:

Argyll & ButeHighlandAberdeen CityOrkneyShetland

Pension Age Disability Payment will be available in the following areas from March 24, 2025:

AberdeenshireEast AyrshireNorth AyrshireSouth AyrshireNa h-Eileanan SiarStirlingClackmannanshireFalkirkFifeAngusDundee CityPerth & KinrossMoray