• Add the link to the application to your favourites, or text it to yourself so that you can access it again easily - https://www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment/how-to-apply 

• Make sure you have your bank details and National Insurance number handy

• Remind yourself that there is no harm in applying - if they decide you are entitled, then you are entitled. If they decide you are not then you are in no worse a position than you are now.

• Make sure that you have created a folder where you can store evidence and confirmation documents for the application. For more advice how to do this, click here. 

• You don't have to apply online, but if you do want to then you need to have a "myaccount". 

• You can sign up or log in at this website - https://portal.socialsecurity.gov.scot/sgdashboard/startpage/register-or-sign-in

• There is a good chance that you might already have a myaccount - for example when using other public services. 

• If you don't want to apply online, you can call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday). 

• If you want help to apply, you can ask Social Security Scotland to help you via their Local Delivery Service. They will arrange for a client advisor to help you. This can be at your home, over the phone, over a video call or at a venue in the local community.  

• Part 1 of the application is about your personal details. 

• You will be asked information about your child, including their date and place of birth. 

• You will be asked for your personal information, including your National Insurance number and your address.

• You will be asked about the type relationship you have to the child. For example, are you the child's parent, carer etc?

• You will be asked to give contact details and tell them if you need any help with communication.

• You will be asked to give your bank details, which is where the benefits will be paid if the application is successful.

• Once you have done Part 1, you can breathe a sigh of relief. You now have have 6 weeks to do Part 2. If you are successful then date from which you will be entitled to the money will likely be backdated to the date you did Part 1.

• Put a reminder in your calendar of the deadline for finishing the application. If you need advice on how to do that, click here.

• Gathering supporting information can be soul destroying. Not only can it be depressing to read about the challenges a child faces, it is also just so boring, draining and fiddly. 

• Also, it is hard to keep track of all the emails, reports, letters etc that we are bombarded with.

• If you have managed to set up a folder with copies of all the relevant evidence then this will be a lifesaver. If not then take this opportunity to do so where will you are gathering evidence for the application. Tips on how to do this can be found here. 

• Some people can panic that they do not have evidence. This is often because they think the supporting information has to be only formal medical or educational reports or letters from medical professionals. However, supporting information is simply something which helps demonstrate what you are saying.

• For more information about how to gather supporting information, and what supporting information you should submit, click here.

• It is important to understand the criteria for CDP before completing Part 2 of the application process.

• The word "criteria" simply means the things which have to be demonstrated in the application in order for the child to be eligible for the benefit.

• The person making the decision about your application cannot decide to give the child the benefit if the application does not demonstrate these things.

• When completing the application you do not have to include every bit of information that exists about the child. You only need to include information about these things.

• It is therefore important to understand what these things are, in other words to understand the criteria, before you start completing Part 2 of the application.

• To learn more about the criteria for CDP click here.

• Completing application forms can be stressful and it is always good to have moral support.

• Many of the parents of neurodivergent children are also neurodivergent themselves and some benefit from a technique called body doubling which is when you are able to focus better when you have somebody with you.

• Also, when you are describing things in the application form which are your "normal", sometimes you downplay the challenges that your child faces. Having someone else to discuss the application with gives you an opportunity for somebody to point out the challenges that your child faces compared to other children.

• Many of the parents and carers that we support find another parent or carer to "buddy up" with so that they can help and support each other.

• You could reach out on one of our WhatsApp support groups or Facebook groups to see if anybody would like to buddy up with you.

• We live in a society where people often feel embarrassed to be seen to "complain" or to ask for help. We always seem to be conscious that somebody else could have it worse.

• Of course, it often is the case that somebody else has it worse but that does not make things easier for you or the child you care for.

• Therefore, when completing the application, describe things as they are in reality when they are at their worst. Do not feel that you need to downplay the challenges that the child faces or give lots of detail about the odd days where the challenges are slightly less.

• Obviously you need to tell the truth, but that truth does not have to be sugar coated.

• The child that you care for has to face those challenges on those bad days so it is perfectly legitimate to describe them honestly and fully.

• Have a think about some of these days and make some notes about them before you start completing Part 2 of the application. This can be a draining experience so it is worthwhile doing this before setting down to complete Part 2 the application and then having a break afterwards.

• Part 2 of the application asks you about your child's disability, conditions and sensory behaviour.

• This is the most important bit - take your time to make sure you give information to demonstrate all the criteria (see number 5 above).

• You will be asked to list the child's health conditions. Do not worry if you do not know the name of the condition, or if the child does not yet have a diagnosis. Instead, you can tell them about the symptoms the child has, how they are affected, and any test results they are waiting for. 

• You will be asked about any issues the child has in relation to :

  • Seeing

  • Hearing

  • Communicating

  • Other sensory issues (e.g. touch, food, taste, smells, bright lights, loud noises)

  • Eating and drinking

  • Washing themselves

• You will then be asked about the support and care the child needs, for example:

  • at school and social activities

  • needed to keep them safe and help them develop

  • to move around indoors

  • to avoid them falling indoors or outdoors

  • the child needs during the night

• You will then be asked about the support the child needs to safely move around outdoors. It is important to remember that this is not just about physical ability or issues - it includes support that they need because of mental health, emotional, sensory and behavioural issues. 

• For example, it would be relevant if the child cannot follow instructions, doesn't understand that cars are dangerous, is at risk of running away or can episodes of sensory dysregulation when out and about.

• You will then be asked about any treatments or therapy the child gets. This can include medication, play therapy, counselling, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and much more. If you are in doubt, then include it. 

• You will also be asked about any equipment the child needs, or changes to the child's home. This can include things like voice communication technology, PECS boards, choosing books, buggies, wheelchairs etc. Again, if in doubt, include it. 

• For advice on how to fill in Part 2, click here. 

• Hopefully by this point you will have all you evidence gathered and ready to upload. 

• If not, don't panic! You can upload or send more evidence later, even after you have submitted your application. If you need to do this you can found out more on this website:

https://www.mygov.scot/uploading-your-documents

• Even if you come across more evidence later that you didn't know you had, or receive more evidence, you can upload it or send it on to support the application.

• Don't be shy with evidence - don't worry that they won't "count" it. If it supports what you are saying, then send it. 

• Remember evidence is not just medical or educational reports. You can send photos, videos, statements from friends and family, or anything else which backs up what you are saying.

• The more evidence you send, the less likely that they will need to ask you, or the professionals mentioned in your application, any follow up questions. This will make the process smoother.

• When you submit the application, the website should confirm that it has been submitted.

• If you can, take a screenshot or a photo of the screen to prove that it has been submitted.

• If it lets you download a PDF copy  of your submitted application, do so and save it in your child's folder.

• Note on your calendar the day that you submitted the application. The applications often take months and it's easy to forget when it was. 

• If you still need to upload more evidence, put a reminder in your calendar to do that.