Child Disability Payment pilot opens for new applications

The new Child Disability Payment has opened for applications from people living in three pilot areas.

From 26th July 2021, families of children with a disability or long-term health condition living in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and Western Isles council areas who need financial support should apply to the new system.

This is the first application-based disability benefit to be introduced by the Scottish Government and will be administered by Social Security Scotland. The benefit replaces the UK Government’s Disability Living Allowance for children. 

The pilot will be followed by a nationwide roll out in the autumn and is for families applying for the first time for this benefit. Those already in receipt of Disability Living Allowance for children do not need to apply and their cases will be transferred in future.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said:

“Families have been involved throughout the development of Child Disability Payment and it is hugely rewarding to see three years of work on this benefit now delivering for people. Every client can expect to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect throughout the process.

“Parents and carers of a child with a disability or long term health condition already experience a number of challenges and accessing the financial support that they are entitled to shouldn’t be another one. By including them at every step of the process, we have been able to focus on what suits parents and carers and have designed a system that meets their needs.

“It is fantastic to see the pilot in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles begin for people with new claims. It will allow us to make sure the new disability benefit system is fully ready for Child Disability Payment’s full national rollout this autumn, and ahead of the transfer of existing clients.”

This latest support is being introduced for families applying for disability assistance for the first time. The three area pilot provides a safe and secure introduction of the benefit in relatively small numbers with the opportunity to ensure the new service is meeting the needs of clients before expanding nationally.

Families do not need to make a new application for Child Disability Payment if they are currently in receipt of Disability Living Allowance for children. These families will be contacted directly and their benefit will be transferred automatically to Social Security Scotland in a phased approach from autumn. This means their Disability Living Allowance for children will be replaced by the Scottish Child Disability Payment. Their Child Disability Payment will continue to be made at the same rates and at the same time as their Disability Living Allowance for children.

Child Disability Payment is the first of the three big disability benefits to be introduced by the Scottish Government and the first that needs to be applied for.

To enable people to apply in the way that suits them best, it will be the first disability benefit in the UK that can be applied for online, as well as being available by post, phone, or face to face (Covid restrictions permitting).

To coincide with the introduction of Child Disability Payment, Social Security Scotland has also launched its local delivery service in the three pilot areas. This means that people will be able to get advice and support on all 11 Social Security Scotland administered benefits face-to-face (Covid restrictions permitting) at a location in their local community or via video call. The local delivery service will also be available nationally from autumn.

Tracy McNally, Director of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau said:

“The devolution of these social security payments is a massive opportunity to get the system right for people. The Citizens Advice network across Scotland helps people with social security concerns every day, with disability benefits being one of the biggest issues people seek advice from, so people should feel confident in knowing they’ll always be able to turn to us for help if they need it with the new payment.”

People can find out more and apply through mygov.scot or by calling 0800 182 2222.

Background

• Child Disability Payment provides money to help with the extra care and mobility costs children and young people with a disability may have, up to the age of 18
• Child Disability Payment replaces the UK Government’s Disability Living Allowance for children.
• People who currently get disability benefits from Department for Work and Pensions will have their awards transferred to the new Scottish system in stages after the new benefits are introduced. This work is expected to be completed to the previously announced timeline of 2025.
• Young people and children in Scotland who are currently getting Disability Living Allowance for children from the DWP will no longer need to apply for PIP when they turn 16. They will stay on Disability Living Allowance to age 18 if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
• Child Winter Heating Assistance was the first benefit for disabled people in Scotland. This is an annual £200 payment for children and young people who receive the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance and will help families meet day and night-time winter fuel costs
• From autumn 2021, Social Security Scotland will administer 11 benefits:
  • Best Start Foods
  • Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment
  • Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment
  • Best Start Grant School Age Payment
  • Carer’s Allowance Supplement
  • Child Disability Payment
  • Child Winter Heating Assistance
  • Funeral Support Payment
  • Job Start Payment
  • Scottish Child Payment (for children under 6 years old)
  • Young Carer Grant