Parents of disabled children are being urged to make sure they're
not missing out on vital financial support from the Scottish
Government.
Child Disability Payment is money to help families cover the
extra costs of looking after a child or young person who is
disabled, has a long-term health condition or is terminally ill.
Since being introduced in 2021, over 78,000 children and young
people have received the payment, with more than £500 million
being paid out in total.
Social Justice Secretary met parents and
children at Carrongrange High School in Grangemouth to hear about
their experiences of applying for and receiving the benefit and
to urge other parents to apply.
Child Disability Payment, paid by Social Security Scotland, has
replaced Disability Living Allowance for Children from the
Department for Work and Pensions.
The devolved benefit, designed in partnership with parents of
disabled children and charities, was designed to be as
straightforward and stress free as possible.
Light touch reviews were introduced for children whose condition
has not changed since the original application was made. This
means children with lifelong disabilities do not need to face
ongoing lengthy reviews to continue getting financial support.
Social Justice Secretary
said:
“Children and young people with a disability, long-term health
condition or terminal illness often have additional needs and the
costs for families can add up.
“Far too many families found the previous DWP scheme complicated
and stigmatising. We were determined to change that and hearing
from parents shows that we have.
“The Scottish Government's social security systems is built on
encouraging people to apply, supporting them in the process and
getting the decision right first time.”
“I'm pleased Child Disability Payment is there to support
families who need extra help and I urge anyone whose child is
eligible to apply.
“It's money they're entitled to and could help make life a bit
easier.”
Catherine Sneddon, 37, Grangemouth, whose son receives
Child Disability Payment said:
“Louis has been on Disability Living Allowance since he was
diagnosed in 2013. Back then I didn't know if he'd be able to
claim and it was a constant battle with the DWP.
“It's only recently that he's transferred over to Child
Disability Payment. It was much more plain sailing than I
anticipated. I expected a fight and what I got was a
questionnaire through the post. The level of care he gets has
been the same for three years so I ticked the box saying, ‘he's
stable.' And that was it.
“With the DWP I would have had to get a letter from his
neurologist to prove he still needed Disability Living Allowance.
For them your child is what they see on the form. They don't know
how hard it is to care for a child with a disability at home, at
school and in the community.
Janine Proudlock, Headteacher at Carrongrange High School
in Grangemouth said:
“For me the Child Disability Payment supports families to ensure
they have the right resources, at the right to time to do the
right work to allow the whole family to flourish.
“Whether it's caring support or specialised resources to meet
their child's needs, this is essential money to improve the lives
of the young people and their family.”
Notes to editors
Background
Child Disability Payment provides money to help with the extra
care and mobility costs disabled children and young people may
have.
Weekly payment rates for care and mobility needs vary from £28.70
to £108.55 per week depending on level of help and support
needed.
People can find out more and apply by visiting mygov.scot/childdisabilitypaymentor
by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
Those previously getting Disability Living Allowance for Children
from the DWP have now had their awards automatically transferred
to Social Security Scotland and they do not need to make a new
application. Awards continued to be made at the same rates as
clients' previous Disability Living Allowance for children
payments and there was no break in entitlement in line with our
commitment to a safe and secure transfer.
Child Disability Payment was the first of the three complex
disability benefits to be introduced by the Scottish Government
that are replacing current UK disability benefits in Scotland.
Adult Disability Payment was introduced in 2022, and regulations
to introduce Pension Age Disability Payment later this year have
been laid in parliament.
Social Security investment helping grow the economy. Economic impact of
spending on social security - Technical note - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
