A new Child Disability Payment (CDP) has been introduced in Scotland from 26 July 2021.
Like DLA, CDP is a benefit for children who have extra care or supervision needs and/or mobility problems because of a disability or long-term health condition. This might be a physical or mental disability or health condition.
CDP has two components – the care component and mobility component – and your child can be entitled to one or both of these components.
The care component has three possible levels (lowest, middle and highest) and the mobility component has two possible levels (lower and higher).
From 26 July 2021 you can claim CDP if you live in one of the following local authority pilot areas:
- Dundee City;
- Perth and Kinross; and
- the Western Isles.
If you live outside these local authority areas you can still claim disability living allowance for your child after 26 July 2021.
The three area pilot provide a further chance for the Scottish Government to get people’s feedback to ensure it meets the needs of disabled children and their families before expanding the service across the country.
Families currently getting DLA for children do not have to take any action - starting later this year, their benefit will be transferred automatically to the new Scottish system.
Their payments will not change and will be paid at the same rates and at the same time as their DLA.
From 22 November 2021 CDP will be rolled out across the rest of Scotland.
The Scottish Government has published a Benefit Take-up Strategy to ensure that sets out the positive steps we will take to encourage people to take up payments to which they are entitled.
It says:
“We are designing the application by taking a user-centred approach to allow parents, guardians and carers to apply using the method that is most convenient for them, including by phone, face-to-face, and online, in a way that is simple and accessible.”
It adds:
“Children and young people will not be required to undergo a face-to-face assessment to secure entitlement to Child Disability Payment.
We are fundamentally changing the nature of disability benefit decision-making in Scotland: Case Managers will have access to detailed clinical guidance, as well as access to Specialist Advisors with relevant professional experience in delivering health and social care.
Our Case Managers will work with parents and carers to fill in any gaps in information, weighing all evidence equally, and using clear guidance that we will develop and agree with stakeholders. Most importantly, Case Managers will start from a position of trust.
All awards of disability assistance will be ‘rolling awards’ – we will set a review period based on when we anticipate a client’s needs may change. Where a client’s condition is unlikely to change, the maximum review period will be 10 years.
Reviews will be light-touch so that we can minimise stress. We understand that the transition between key stages of childhood can be difficult, and we want to ensure that families are supported. We will continue to work with stakeholders to get light-touch reviews right.”
Further information about CDA, including how to claim, eligibility and payment rates, is available from www.mygov.scot.