Scottish Child Disability Payment: A Complete Guide for Families in Scotland
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[LAST CHECKED: 8 October 2026]
Introduction
If you’re raising a disabled child in Scotland, you’ll know that the extra costs add up quickly. Scottish Child Disability Payment is there to help. It’s a benefit paid by Social Security Scotland to support families with the additional care and mobility costs of looking after a disabled child or young person. This guide explains who can claim, how much you could get, how to apply, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.
Quick answer: Child Disability Payment (CDP) is a Scottish benefit for children under 16 who need extra care or have mobility difficulties because of a disability or long-term health condition. It’s not means-tested, so your income and savings don’t affect it. You can apply online, by phone, or by post through Social Security Scotland.
Who can claim Scottish Child Disability Payment?
To claim CDP, your child must meet certain eligibility criteria. These are set by Social Security Scotland, and in most cases they’re straightforward to understand.
Your child must:
Be under 16 when entitlement to CDP begins. There are some exceptions if you’re moving to Scotland from elsewhere in the UK or transferring from Disability Living Allowance.
Pass the care component test and/or the mobility component test. This means they need extra help with daily living tasks, supervision, or have difficulty getting around.
Meet the qualifying periods condition. In most cases, your child must have had the disability for at least 13 weeks before the claim, and it must be expected to last for at least 26 weeks after the claim.
Pass the residence and presence tests. You and your child must normally live in Scotland.
Not be subject to immigration control.
The care component is available from 13 weeks old. The mobility component is available from age 3 for the higher rate and age 5 for the lower rate. Children under 3 can’t get the mobility component.
You can usually get CDP until your child turns 18, though new claims can’t be made once they’re 16. If your child is between 16 and 18 and already getting CDP, it will usually stop when they turn 18 unless they apply for Adult Disability Payment.
If your child is terminally ill, special rules apply. A decision can be made very quickly, often within days, and your child will automatically get the highest rate of the care component and, from age 3, the higher rate of the mobility component.
How much could you get?
CDP has two components: care and mobility. Your child can get one or both, depending on their needs. The rates are reviewed each year. Here are the 2026/27 rates:
Care component (weekly):
Lowest rate: £30.30
Middle rate: £76.70
Highest rate: £114.60
Mobility component (weekly):
Lower rate: £30.30
Higher rate: £80.00
These rates are for 2026/27 and are paid every four weeks. The amount your child gets depends on how their disability affects them, not on a specific diagnosis. CDP is not means-tested, so it doesn’t matter how much you earn or how much you have in savings.
If you’re also getting Universal Credit or other benefits, getting CDP might increase the amount you’re entitled to. It’s worth telling the relevant office that your child has been awarded CDP, as it can open the door to extra support.
How to apply: step-by-step
Applying for CDP is a two-part process. You can do it online, by phone, or by post. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Choose how to apply
Online: Start your application through myaccount on mygov.scot. You can save your progress and come back within six weeks.
Phone: Call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday). An adviser will help you start the application.
Post: You can request a paper application form by phone.
Step 2: Complete Part 1
Part 1 asks for your personal details and your child’s details. This is the starting point of your application. If you apply online, you can save and continue later. If you apply by phone, you’ll be sent a paper form for Part 2.
Step 3: Complete Part 2 within six weeks
Part 2 asks about how your child’s disability affects their daily life. You have six weeks from completing Part 1 to finish Part 2. If you need more time, contact Social Security Scotland as soon as possible.
Step 4: Submit supporting information
You don’t need to send medical evidence with your application. Social Security Scotland will gather what they need from health professionals and other sources. However, you can upload or send any supporting information you think is helpful.
Documents and information you’ll need
Your child’s full name, date of birth, and address
Your own personal details and National Insurance number
Details of your child’s disability or health condition, and how it affects their daily life
Contact details for any professionals involved in your child’s care, such as a GP, consultant, or support worker
Bank details for payment
Common mistakes that delay or reduce claims
Leaving Part 2 until the last minute. You only have six weeks. If you’re struggling, ask for help or an extension.
Not describing the worst days. When explaining how your child is affected, it’s important to describe their needs on their worst days, not their best. This gives a fuller picture.
Assuming your income is too high. CDP is not means-tested. Many families who assume they won’t qualify actually do.
Not keeping Social Security Scotland updated. If your child’s needs change, tell them. It could affect the award, and not updating them could lead to overpayments.
Missing the deadline to challenge a decision. If you disagree with a decision, you have 42 days to request a re-determination.
What happens after you apply?
Once you’ve submitted Part 2 of your application, Social Security Scotland will gather supporting information and make a decision. The median processing time has improved recently, standing at around 40 working days as of March 2026. However, some cases take longer.
If your child is terminally ill, a decision can be made in as little as 48 hours.
Payments are usually made every four weeks. If your application is successful, you’ll receive a letter explaining the decision, the rates awarded, and when payments will start.
If you disagree with the decision, you can ask Social Security Scotland to look at it again. This is called a re-determination. You must request this within 42 days of being told about the decision. Social Security Scotland then has 56 days to make a new decision. If you’re still unhappy after that, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.
Related support you might be missing
Getting CDP can open the door to other types of support. These aren’t added automatically, so you may need to apply separately.
Scottish Child Payment: A weekly payment of £28.20 per eligible child under 16 if you’re on certain benefits, including Universal Credit.
Child Winter Heating Assistance: An annual payment to help with winter heating costs for families with a disabled child.
Blue Badge: If your child gets the higher rate of the mobility component, they may be eligible for a Blue Badge.
Carer’s Allowance: If you’re caring for your child for 35 hours or more a week, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance.
Council Tax Reduction: You may be able to get a reduction on your council tax if you’re on a low income or certain benefits.
Quick summary / checklist
✅ Child must be under 16 and live in Scotland
✅ Pass care and/or mobility tests
✅ Not means-tested
✅ Apply online, by phone, or by post
✅ Two-part application, six weeks to complete Part 2
✅ Rates for 2026/27: £30.30 to £114.60 (care), £30.30 to £80.00 (mobility)
✅ Challenge a decision within 42 days
FAQs
What is Scottish Child Disability Payment?
It’s a benefit paid by Social Security Scotland to help with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child under 16. It replaced Disability Living Allowance in Scotland and is not means-tested.
How much is Child Disability Payment in Scotland?
For 2026/27, the care component pays between £30.30 and £114.60 a week, and the mobility component pays £30.30 or £80.00 a week, depending on your child’s needs.
How long does a Child Disability Payment decision take?
The median processing time was around 40 working days as of March 2026. Some cases take longer, but terminally ill children are fast-tracked and can get a decision in days.
Can I claim Child Disability Payment if I work?
Yes. CDP is not means-tested, so your income and savings don’t affect your child’s eligibility. You can claim it whether you’re working or not.
What if my Child Disability Payment claim is refused?
You can ask Social Security Scotland to look at the decision again. This is called a re-determination. You have 42 days to request it, and Social Security Scotland has 56 days to respond.
Conclusion
Scottish Child Disability Payment is a vital source of support for families raising disabled children in Scotland. It’s not means-tested, it can open the door to other benefits, and it’s there to help with the extra costs that come with caring for a child with additional needs. If you think your child might be eligible, it’s worth applying. The application process is designed to be as straightforward as possible, and support is available if you need it.
If you’re also wondering how this affects your Universal Credit, our guide on [Universal Credit and disability benefits] explains what you need to know.