In Finland, the number of children and youths under 16 receiving disability allowance has increased by 36% since 2013. At the end of last year, over 47,000 people under the age of 16 were receiving disability allowance. The most common grounds for children's disability allowance were mental health, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Specifically, the number of children receiving benefits due to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased by over a third compared to the previous year. The regions of North Karelia and North Savo had the highest levels of ADHD diagnoses among children and adolescents in the country [41013ec2].
Meanwhile, in Scotland, people over State Pension age in five local councils will be eligible for a new disability payment starting in October. The Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) will replace new Attendance Allowance claims in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney, and Shetland. The benefit will be expanded to 13 more local authority areas in March 2025 and across Scotland by April 2025. The PADP is available for individuals of State Pension age with a disability or chronic medical condition that requires assistance with self-care or supervision. It is tax-free, not means-tested, and will be granted at the same rates as the DWP equivalent. The disability benefit will be handled by Social Security Scotland and paid out every four weeks. Existing claimants will have their awards transferred from the DWP to Social Security Scotland in early 2025. The Scottish Government introduced the Pension Age Disability Payment with a streamlined support approach, including a more streamlined process for clients to nominate a third-party representative. The benefit will be rolled out in additional locations in March 2025 and across all of Scotland by April 2025 [466153e8].