The Scottish Government has announced that almost £60 million has been distributed to thousands of families with disabled children in the first year of a new devolved disability benefit. The latest official figures from Social Security Scotland show the families of nearly 44,000 children and young people were receiving Child Disability Payment in September this year.
The benefit replaces Disability Living Allowance for Children, which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and helps cover the extra costs of caring for a child with a disability, long-term health condition or is terminally ill, up to the age of 18. People already receiving Disability Living Allowance for Children do not need to make a new application as Social Security Scotland will contact them ahead of their award being automatically transferred to the new system.
This is happening in a phased approach and is expected to be completed by spring 2023.
Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson 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.”
He continued: ‘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/”
Heather, whose son has autism and ADHD, shared the difference Child Disability Payment can make.
She explained: “Before applying for Child Disability Payment, my son was struggling. He found school very hard and didn’t think he was good at anything. He couldn’t focus, didn’t have friends and was worried he’d never be able to get a job. His self-esteem was so low.
“Child Disability Payment allowed me to buy him a computer and pay for outdoor school sessions. That might not sound like much but it’s changed his life.”
Heather continued: “The outdoor school lets him learn in much smaller groups and in an active way that suits his brain. The computer and the games have let him learn new skills including maths, something he found impossible before.”
She added: “It if wasn’t for Child Disability Payment there’s no way I could have afforded any of that and he’d still be the same boy who cried every night not wanting to go to school.
“I’d urge any parent or carer who thinks they might be eligible to look into applying for Child Disability Payment.”
She added that the application process is much simpler than parents may realise and the money could change your child’s life.
The latest figures also show that 34,000 people who had been receiving Disability Living Allowance for Children from DWP before Child Disability Payment was rolled out, have had their award transferred to Social Security Scotland.
Scottish Child Disability Payment rates
Child Disability Payment rates are the same as Disability Living Allowance for Children.
These payments are worth between £24.45 and £156.90 each week. The support is paid every four weeks and is worth up to £627.60.
Care Component
- Highest: £92.40 (£101.75 from April)
- Middle: £61.85 (£68.10 from April)
- Lowest: £24.45 (£26.90 from April)
Mobility component
- Higher: £64.50 (£71.00 from April)
- Lower: £24.45 (£26.90 from April)
How to apply for Child Disability Payment
People can apply for Child Disability Payment online, over the phone, by post or in-person.
You can find out more and apply through mygov.scot or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
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