Differences between PADP and AA eligibility criteria

For an individual to be entitled to AA under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness, the individual must have a progressive disease where death as a consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected within 12 months.

For an individual to be entitled to PADP under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness, the individual must have a progressive disease that can reasonably be expected to cause the individual’s death: there is no requirement that death must be expected to occur within 12 months. This means that if an individual is receiving AA under Special Rules for Terminal Illness, and they move to Scotland, they will always satisfy the Special Rules for Terminal Illness for PADP.

If an individual has been awarded AA under Special Rules for Terminal Illness, they automatically receive the higher rate of PADP.

Under the special rules on entitlement to PADP for terminal illness, an appropriate healthcare professional both:

• certifies that the individual has a terminal illness; and
• notifies Social Security Scotland of the diagnosis.

In some instances, an individual may inform Social Security Scotland that they have a terminal illness.

The chapter on Special Rules for Terminal Illness gives more information.