What is the Child Disability Payment? How much can I get? Child Disability Payment is a benefit that those in Scotland (or with a tie to Scotland) can get. Indeed, this is likely true for you if you are taking care of a disabled child. There are also other benefits available if you take care of one or more children. This Your Benefits article will tell you everything you need to know about Child Disability Payment Scotland.
What is Child Disability Payment in Scotland?
Child Disability Payment is a Scottish benefit. Indeed, Child Disability Payment meant to help those in Scotland with extra costs that might arise from taking care of a disabled child. Your child likely qualifies if they are mentally or physically disabled, and under 16 years old.
Your child may not have a precise diagnosis. However, you can still apply for Child Disability Payment. Indeed, you will need to indicate a couple of things to Social Security Scotland. Mainly, how your child is affected by their disability, and the symptoms that they might display.
Am I eligible for Child Disability Payment?
If you are a parent responsible for a child, or their guardian, you may claim this benefit on behalf of the specified child. However, this is if the child is younger than 16 years old, and lives in Scotland.
Your child might not live in Scotland. If this is the case, do not worry. They might still qualify for this benefit. Indeed, they must live in Gibraltar, Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country. Additionally, they must also have a “genuine and sufficient link” to Scotland.
A “genuine and sufficient link” to Scotland means that they do not reside in Scotland, but have a connection with the country. Indeed, this may be true if the child lived in Scotland for a long time, or has family living there. 
However, your child may not have a “genuine and sufficient link” to Scotland. In this case, if you live in Switzerland or a EEA country, you may be able to receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children. Then, you may not receive both Child Disability Payment and DLA.
You may not have parental responsibilities for the child in question. However, you can apply for them if they do not reside with their guardian or parent. Additionally, said parent or guardian must not be able to claim the benefit, or manage the payments.
What if I already receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children?
If you already get DLA for children, you do not need to apply for this benefit. Indeed, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will continue to pay you. This is until your case is transferred to Child Disability Payment, and Social Security Scotland begins to pay you. No input is needed from you for this.
Before your case is transferred to Social Security Scotland, they will contact you, but your award will not be reassessed. Additionally, you should not experience a missed payment.
What are the Child Disability Payment components?
Payments received from this benefit are tax-free. This means that you will not need to pay tax on your payments.
There are two components to Child Disability Payment. Indeed, they are the care and mobility component. If your child is 3 months or older, they may be eligible for the care component. If they are 3 years or older, they may be eligible for the mobility component.
What if my child is terminally ill? In this case, they are automatically eligible for the care component. Additionally, if they are 3 years or older, they are eligible for the mobility component.
How much is the care component of Child Disability Payment?
The care component of this benefit consists of three different rates:
| Child Disability Payment care component rates | |
|---|---|
| Rate | Amount received (weekly) |
| Lowest | £23.70 |
| Middle | £60 |
| Highest | £89.60 |
Some things need to be true in order for your child to be eligible. First, to be eligible for the lowest rate, your child must be either of the following:
- both 16 years or older and unable to cook a meal for themselves because of a physical or mental disability
- needs support from someone for their bodily function throughout the day, because of a mental or physical disability
In order to be eligible for the middle rate, other things need to be true. Indeed, your child is likely eligible if one of the following is true for them:
- they require a lot of attention during the day, or at night, for support related to their bodily function because of a mental or physical disability
- the child undergoes renal dialysis treatment at least two times a week, either during the night or day
- they require a lot of attention during the day, or at night, to avoid danger to others or themselves
Then, to be eligible for the highest rate, one of the following must be true for your child, they:
- are terminally ill
- undergo renal dialysis treatment at least two times a week, both during the night and day
- they require a lot of attention both during the day and night, for support related to their bodily function because of a mental or physical disability
- they require a lot of attention both during the day and night, to avoid danger to others or themselves
Note that if your child qualifies for the highest rate, you will also receive Child Winter Heating Assistance.
How much is the mobility component of Child Disability Payment?
There are two rates of the mobility component. They are as follows:
- higher
- £62.55 weekly
- lower
- £23.70
In order to receive the lower rate, your child must be a couple of things. First, they need to be 5 years or older. Second, they need to be able to walk with or without equipment, but must require support for mobility outside.
In order to receive the higher rate, your child must first be at least 3 years or older. Then, one of the following needs to be true for them, they:
- are terminally ill
- would experience worst health if they attempted to walk
- need supervision both during the day and night, to avoid any danger to others or themselves, due to severe behavioural difficulties (from a mental health disability)
- have a severe mental health disability
- are deaf and blind, or have a severe visual disability
- are unable to walk, or move around outside
- this must be due to their disability
How can I apply for Child Disability Payment?
The application process consists of two different parts. Once you start one part of the application, the second should be done no later than 6 weeks later. If you do not believe you will be able to maintain this, contact Social Security Scotland. They should be able to help you.
You can apply online, or by phone and post.
How exactly may I apply?
You may apply for Scottish Child Disability Payment online. Indeed, applying online allows you to save as you go. Furthermore, you may apply online on the Social Security Scotland website, through myaccount. However, if you do not have an account, you may create one.
You may also apply by phone. Indeed, you may then call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. You may do this Monday through Friday, from 8am to 6pm. However, if you are outside the UK, you may call +44 (0)138 2931 000. Although the first number is free, the second one is not.
Once you have called, you will need to provide certain information about you and your child. This will start the application process. Then, you will receive the application form by post in a prepaid envelope in order to continue the process.
What if I need help to complete my application?
You may need help to complete your application. If this is the case, you may receive some from Social Security Scotland. Indeed, they are able to accommodate for any disability you may have. Such a disability may hinder your ability to complete the application.
Furthermore, you may be able to receive in person help. You may even get help over the phone, or over video. This is called Local Delivery. Additionally, it is a service provided by Social Security Scotland, free of charge. For more information, you may contact them to set up an appointment.
Lastly, you may apply in a language other than English. Indeed, you may do this over the phone or in paper form. Over the phone, you would be provided an interpreter. On paper, your application will be in your desired language.
