Scotland moves to child disability payment- what’s changed?

All disabled children and young people in Scotland who get disability benefits from the DWP will now be paid directly from Social Security Scotland.

Those children and young people who get the payment from Social Security Scotland will also benefit from a review system different to that of the wider UK. 76,000 disabled children and young people in Scotland now get the child disability payment, which includes around 31,000 who had applied since the new benefit was launched.

The new benefit helps cover the extra costs of caring for a disabled or terminally ill child or young person.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, cabinet secretary for social justice, said: “One of the defining characteristics of the benefits system in Scotland is that people are treated with dignity, fairness and respect. Everyone in Scotland who previously received Disability Living Allowance for children from the UK Government now gets Child Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland. This has been a significant and important undertaking.

“The change means 47,000 more children in Scotland and their families can now look forward to less anxiety, less uncertainty and more financial security when their disability benefits come up for review.

“Social Security Scotland takes a human rights-based approach to reviews. The time between reviews is also set by case managers and can vary from two years to ten years. This is especially important for people with life-long disabilities and helps provide the financial security that is needed to pay for ongoing care and support.”

Do I need to apply?

You don’t need to apply for child disability payment if the child already gets disability living allowance (DLA) for children, paid by the DWP.

From 2021, cases started to move to the new payment in stages. The payment rates are the same, and the only thing that will change is you’ll get your payments from social security Scotland instead.

The latest figures show around 47,000 children and teenagers have had their awards moved to the new payment since 2021.

If you live in Scotland and are responsible for a child or teenager  under 16 with a disability and not getting any payments, you can apply here.