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If you are the parent or legal guardian of a disabled child in Scotland, you should consider applying for Child Disability Payment.
Child Disability Payment is often known as "CDP".
CDP is a benefit that is paid by Social Security Scotland (part of the Scottish Government), and it replaces the benefit known as Disability Living Allowance ("DLA") which was previously paid by the DWP (part of the UK Government).
Applying for benefits is overwhelming at the best of times, especially when you are caring for a neurodivergent (or potentially neurodivergent) child.
Also, some parents of neurodivergent children are also neurodivergent themselves. This can make things like filling out forms particularly overwhelming.
It is also hard when you have to fill out forms about something which is your "normal". If having a neurodivergent child is all you have ever known then you might struggle to know how to answer the questions.
We have created a step-by-step guide for applying for Child Disability Payment here.
What is CPD for?
What is CPD for?
Child Disability Payment provides support for the extra costs that a disabled child might have. Remember not to feel guilty about applying for this. Your “normal” is not necessarily everyone else’s normal. Costs that you don’t think are unusual can be. For example, if you can’t take public transport with the child you care for then you will spend more money on taxis or having your own vehicle.
You can spend the CDP on what you think is best - you are not forced to spend it on certain things, or judged for what you spend it on.
Who can get CPD?
Who can get CPD?
To qualify for CDP, the child must live in Scotland (*with a few exceptions).
The child must be under the 16 when the application is made (although they can be paid CDP until the age of 18).
Usually, the child must have had a disability or health condition for the past 13 weeks that is expected to continue for at least another 26 weeks (there are different rules if a child is terminally ill).
Importantly, the amount of money that a child's family has, or the income of the child's parents, is NOT RELEVANT to whethe the child will qualify.
What is a disability?
What is a disability?
The disability can be a mental or a physical disability. Neurodivergent conditions will fall under the category of mental disability, but of course the child may have physical disabilities too.
It is important to remember that a child does not need to have a formal diagnosis to qualify for CDP.
The "Components" of CDP
The "Components" of CDP
When you apply for CDP you will notice it has 2 different parts. The child can qualify for the "care component", or the "mobility component", or both.
Each component has different "rates".
If the child qualifies for the care component, they can be awarded:
low rate
middle rate
high rate
If the child qualifies for the mobility component, they can be awarded:
low rate
high rate.
Care Component
Care Component
The care component is for children aged 3 months or older.
Mobility Component
Mobility Component
The mobility component is for children aged 3 years or older.
Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
Remember, a child's needs can include emotional and behavioural difficulties. Your child might still be entitled to the mobility component even if the disability is not physical.
For example, if they are over 5 years old they are entitled to it if they need guidance or supervision most of the time from another person to move around outdoors. If they are 3 or over, they can get it if they have a severe mental health disability or have severe behavioural difficulties that mean they need supervision to avoid substantial danger. (There are other criteria too - always check.)
How to apply for CDP
How to apply for CDP
For more information on Child Disability Payment, including how to apply, you can visit the following website -
https://www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment
When applying, the form is an online form and is split into two parts.
The first part is quick and straightforward. Even if you feel overwhelmed doing the entire application, at least do Part 1 as soon as possible. As long as you complete the application within six weeks, then you should be able to have any award backdated to the day you started the process.
How will they decide?
How will they decide?
What if I don't agree with the decision?
What if I don't agree with the decision?
Click here for more details about the criteria for CDP.
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