People in Scotland are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for devolved disability payments worth up to £691 each month as part of a new campaign to increase awareness and drive benefit take-up. The Scottish Government has announced that new TV adverts starting on Monday, April 10, will promote Child and Adult Disability Payment.
The nationwide campaign aims to raise awareness about financial support available to help with the extra costs that disabled children and adults may face. Announcing the move, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “We are not aware of the UK Government running a campaign on the equivalent UK benefits for over 30-years” - a reference to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLA for Children) which are administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It’s worth noting that new applications for Adult Disability Payment are taking on average 79 working days to process, measured from date of claim to decision letter. However, successful claims are backdated to the date of the claim and outstanding payments made in arrears.
Child Disability Payment provides financial support to help families and carers with the extra costs of caring for a child or young person with a disability or long-term health condition. Adult Disability Payment is available to people aged between 16 and State Pension age (66) who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or a terminal illness.
These benefits are administered by Social Security Scotland and replace DLA for Children and PIP.
People already getting disability benefits from DWP will see their award transfer automatically and do not need to apply separately. PIP cases are being transferred in a staggered move that is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Payments will not be affected by the migration, which is expected to take around three months after claimant’s receive a letter informing them that their award is moving from DWP to the Social Security Scotland IT system.
Commenting on the new campaign, Ms Somerville said: “Being disabled or having a long-term health condition can come with a variety of extra costs, such as paying more for accessible transport. We want to make sure that disabled children and adults get all the extra financial support they are entitled to, to ease the impact of those costs.
“This campaign is not just about raising awareness but also has an important role to play in helping to remove any stigma that people may be worried about when applying for social security. We believe social security is a human right. It is here for any of us should we need it and we want to make sure people are accessing what they are due.”
The Social Justice Secretary continued: “This is the first time that we are proactively promoting disability benefits as part of a national advertising campaign, including adverts on TV. We are not aware of the UK Government running a campaign on the equivalent UK benefits for over 30-years.
“I want to actively encourage people to check if they are eligible for Child and Adult Disability Payments and make sure they get extra financial support to help them live full and independent lives.”
The campaign features Piper, 9, who has Down's Syndrome. Her mum Caroline Milburn, says disability benefits have helped cover extra costs as well as give Piper opportunities she’d never have had without them.
Caroline, from Edinburgh, said: “Piper is such a unique character. When she was born we were told she wouldn’t walk until she was around six, but she was walking at two. She’s so determined and knows her own mind. If she wants to do something she’ll do it.
“Disability benefit allowed me to buy her a sensory swing and a tablet that gives her access to games that help her learn. She just thinks she’s having fun but the games have taught her so much. She plays them with her five-year-old brother sitting beside her and he learns with her.”
She added that Child Disability Payment helps cover the costs of buying Piper new clothes and duvets as she is always “chewing holes in them”. It also allows her to send Piper to holiday clubs as they are really good for her, but cost about £40 a week.
Child Disability Payment rates 2023/24
The benefit is paid every four weeks.
Care Component
- Highest: £101.75 (from £92.40)
- Middle: £68.10 (from £61.85)
- Lowest: £26.90 (from £24.45)
Mobility component
- Higher: £71.00 (from £64.50)
- Lower: £26.90 (from £24.45)
Find out more about Child Disability Payment here.
Adult Disability Payment rates 2023/24
The benefit is paid every four weeks.
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced: £101.75 (from £92.40)
- Standard: £68.10 (from £61.85)
Mobility Component
- Enhanced: £71.00 (from £64.50)
- Standard: £26.90 (from £24.45)
Find out more about Adult Disability Payment here.
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