Thousands of families with disabled children across the country have received almost £60million during the first year of a new Scottish benefit.
According to the latest statistics from Social Security Scotland there were close to 44,000 kids and young people receiving the Child Disability Payment (CDP) in September.
Last year the Scottish Government replaced it from the DWP's Disability Living Allowance ( DLA) which helped cover the extra costs of caring for a child who is disabled, has a health condition or is terminally ill.
Figures show around 34,000 people who had been receiving DLA before CDP had been rolled have had their award transferred to Social Security Scotland.
A single dad who applied said CDP changed his daughter's life as it allowed him to take her swimming and on day trips.
Martin's six-year-old daughter has learning difficulties and after paying for essentials while on Universal Credit had less than £3 each month.
The former Army driver, 42, from Dundee, said CDP "made such a difference to our lives".
He added: "I was really struggling because after food and bills we literally had a few pounds left. The basics were covered and I’m grateful for that but we couldn’t do anything. My daughter has learning difficulties and she's a visual learner so the more stuff we can do outside of the home the better but she was stuck in the house all the time.
"My daughter received an award and it completely changed things for us. The additional costs of my daughter’s care added a lot financial pressure. I basically had no disposable income.
"On Universal Credit after food and bills were paid for I was left with £2.77 a month. With Child Disability Payment I had £97 which meant I could take my daughter to places to help with her development. Finding out this money was available meant I could do things to support her learning difficulties.
Martin, who now works for Social Security Scotland, helps other parents with disabled children receive CDP.
He said: "She couldn’t lie down in a bath because she was scared of water but I could afford to take her to the swimming pool and teach her to swim. We could get on a bus or a train and do some outdoor learning. Finding out this money was available to help with those extra costs meant we could live a little, rather than just survive.
"It made such a difference to our lives that I thought I want to work for these people and help others."
Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson urged people to get in touch to receive the benefits "they are entitled to".
He said: "Caring for a child who is disabled or has a long-term ill-health condition can result in extra costs for families, from buying specialist equipment to paying for taxis to get to appointments. It can also be more expensive for children with disabilities to take part in the activities and opportunities with their peers.
"Child Disability Payment helps parents to support their children and assists young people to live their lives to the fullest. It is welcome news that around 44,000 families are now receiving Child Disability Payment, a year after we rolled it out across Scotland.
"With the increasing financial pressures on families, it is important people are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to. I urge anyone who thinks they or their child may be eligible to get in touch with Social Security Scotland, as well as checking if they may be entitled to extra financial support by visiting costofliving.campaign.gov.scot."
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