Child Disability Payment (Scotland)

Child Disability Payment has two components — a child can receive one or both:

Care component (3 rates):

• Lowest rate (£26.90/week): For children who need attention or supervision for a significant portion of the day with their bodily functions, or with cooking (if aged 16 or over).
• Middle rate (£71.50/week): For children who need frequent attention or supervision throughout the day, or who need prolonged attention at night, or who are terminally ill.
• Highest rate (£107.75/week): For children who need frequent attention or supervision throughout both day and night, or who are terminally ill.

Mobility component (2 rates):

• Lower rate (£28.70/week): For children aged 5 or over who need guidance or supervision from another person when walking outdoors in unfamiliar places.
• Higher rate (£75.75/week): For children aged 3 or over who are unable or virtually unable to walk, or for whom walking would involve a serious risk to life or health, or who are deaf-blind.

Unlike ADP (for adults), CDP does not use a points-based descriptor system — instead, assessors consider the overall care and mobility needs of the child compared with a child of the same age without the disability.

To be eligible for CDP:

• The child must be under 18 (and have been under 16 when the claim was first made — young people aged 16–17 make their own ADP claims)
• The family must live in Scotland (or have lived in Scotland recently in certain circumstances)
• The child must have a physical or mental health condition or disability that has affected them for at least 3 months and is expected to last at least 6 months (or be terminally ill)
• The child's care or mobility needs must meet the qualifying criteria for at least one component at one of the rates

Premature babies, children with very complex needs, and children who are terminally ill may be eligible without meeting the 3-month waiting period. Children with a terminal illness under the "special rules" process will normally receive the highest rate of the care component automatically.

Apply for CDP through Social Security Scotland. A parent or guardian usually applies on behalf of the child, though young people aged 16 or over can apply themselves (though at that age they would normally apply for ADP instead).

1. Start your application: Call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or apply online at socialsecurity.gov.scot. You can also request a paper form.
2. Complete the form: The form asks about your child's condition and how it affects them day to day. Describe their worst days, not how they manage when they are well. Include all conditions — physical, mental health, learning disabilities, and autism.
3. Provide supporting evidence: Submit evidence from healthcare professionals (GP, consultant, physiotherapist, CAMHS, school SENCO) supporting your child's needs. Social Security Scotland can also request evidence directly from professionals with your permission.
4. Decision: Social Security Scotland will make a decision based on the form and evidence. If more information is needed, they will contact you or, rarely, arrange a consultation.

If you disagree with the decision, request a re-determination within 42 days. If still unhappy, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Social Security Chamber) within 31 days of the re-determination decision.

When a child receiving CDP approaches their 18th birthday, Social Security Scotland will contact the family about the transition to Adult Disability Payment (ADP). Key points:

• The transition should be seamless — CDP continues to be paid while the ADP application is processed.
• Social Security Scotland will use information from the CDP award to inform the ADP application — the young person does not need to start entirely from scratch.
• The young person (or their representative if they lack capacity) will need to complete an ADP application in their own name.
• The assessment criteria change at 18 — ADP uses the descriptor-based points system rather than the CDP criteria, so the award level may change.
• A young person who lacks mental capacity may need a supported decision maker or a power of attorney holder to assist with the application.