It helps with the extra costs that come with being disabled or having a long-term health condition (including a terminal illness).
If you care for a child who is disabled or has a long-term health condition, you can apply for CDP on their behalf – even if they do not have a diagnosis.
Eligibility
The child:
- Is under age 16
- Lives in Scotland
- Has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- Cannot get CDP at the same time as Disability Living Allowance for children
You do not need a formal diagnosis of your child’s condition to get Child Disability Payment.
If you do not have parental responsibilities and rights for the child, you can still apply if the child does not live with their parent or guardian.
Weekly amounts
Child Disability Payment is split into two parts. You can get one or both parts, depending on your child’s needs – but you only need to make one application.
- Care component (for children at least 3 months old)
- Mobility component (for children at least 3 years old)
A child’s care and mobility needs can include physical and non-physical difficulties, including:
- Emotional
- Behavioural
- Mental
- Developmental
- Learning
Care component
| Lowest weekly rate | Middle weekly rate | Highest weekly rate |
|---|---|---|
| £29.20 | £73.90 | £110.40 |
| For children who, because of their disability: – Need help from someone else, for much of the day, to manage their bodily functions – Are 16 or older and cannot prepare a cooked meal | For children who need, throughout the day or night: – Help with their bodily function – Supervision to avoid danger to themselves or others – Renal dialysis treatment, at least twice a week | For children who need, throughout the day and night: – Help with their bodily function – Supervision to avoid danger to themselves or others – Renal dialysis treatment, at least twice a week Or children who have a terminal illness. |
Children getting the highest rate of the care component also get Child Winter Heating Payment.
| Lower weekly rate | Higher weekly rate |
|---|---|
| £29.20 | £77.05 |
| For a child who: – Is 5 or older – Can walk, but needs help from another person to move around outdoors | For a child who is 3 or older and either: – Is unable to walk – Is unable to walk outdoors – Whose health would get worse from walking – Has no legs or feet – Has a severe visual disability – Is blind and deaf – Has a severe mental disability with severe behavioural difficulties – Has a terminal illness |
Apply or find out more
- Apply on the Scot Gov website
- View the online factsheet from Carers UK
- Read more info from Citizens Advice
- Use the benefits calculator from Edinburgh Council
- Contact Social Security Scotland online or by calling 0800 182 2222
Contact VOCAL
If you still have any questions about Child Disability Payment, you can contact our benefits team at VOCAL. We provide one-to-one advice, as well as regular advice surgeries where we offer benefits checks to carers we support.
