Raising neurodiverse children brings plenty of rewards, but it can also brings a very particular set of challenges. If your child has additional support needs, such as autism or ADHD then you may be eligible for Child Disability Payment (CDP). This is the Scottish equivalent of the Disability Living Allowance. If you are in East Dunbartonshire and would like to talk to someone about support, then make an appointment with one of our friendly advisors.
What is the Child Disability Payment?
The CDP is available to support children under the age of 16 in Scotland with a physical or mental disability. The child does not need a diagnosis in order to apply for the payment. In these cases, you can tell Social Security Scotland about the ways they are affected along with any symptoms they may exhibit.
Components of the CDP
Child Disability Payment is tax-free and consists of two components: care and mobility. Children aged three months or older may qualify for the care component, while those aged three years or older may qualify for the mobility component. If a child is terminally ill, they qualify for the care component from birth and the mobility component from age three. A child’s eligibility is based on their physical, emotional, behavioural, mental, developmental, and learning difficulties. 
The care component is paid at three different rates. The lowest (£28.70 per week) is for children requiring significant daytime assistance. The middle (£72.65 per week) is for those needing frequent attention or supervision. Finally the highest (£108.55 per week) is for children needing substantial, continuous support day and night. Children receiving the highest rate of the care component are also eligible for the Child Winter Heating Payment.
The mobility component has two payment rates. The lower (£28.70 per week) is for children aged five or older who need guidance or supervision when moving outdoors. The higher rate (£75.75 per week) is for children aged three or older who are unable to walk, have severe visual or mental health disabilities, severe behavioural difficulties requiring constant supervision, or would experience a serious deterioration in health due to walking. Terminally ill children are also eligible for the higher rate. Families receiving the higher rate mobility component can apply to lease an accessible vehicle through the scheme.
How to apply
Applying for Child Disability Payment can be done online at Social Security Scotland. The application is quite long, but you can save it as you go. However, if you would like some help in this application, please do get in touch with us. We can help make sure you have all the relevant information you need in advance, and help you with the form itself.
The types of information you will need includes:
- any conditions and sensory issues the child has
- what help, support or care the child needs during the day or at night
- what help or support the child needs at other times during the day, including when they’re not with you
Full information on what you need can be found on the mygov information pages.
CDP results
Although the application process for the Child Disability Payment can be daunting, especially when looking after a neurodiverse child or other disabilities. We at East Dunbartonshire Council are here to help every step of the way. Get in touch with us to book an appointment and we would be happy to help you apply.
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