The Scottish Government has paid £132.5million to tens of thousands of families with disabled children or young people since a new devolved disability benefit launched in November 2021. The latest official figures from Social Security Scotland show that families of 54,735 children and young people were receiving Child Disability Payment (CDP) by the end of December 2022.
The benefit replaced Disability Living Allowance for Children, which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and helps cover the extra costs of caring for a child with a disability, long-term health condition or is terminally ill, up to the age of 18. However, many parents or guardians may not be aware that the move from claiming Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is not done automatically.
Children on CDP can make a claim for ADP when they reach the age of 16, or continue receiving CDP until they turn 18, but it’s important to be aware that CDP will stop on the claimant’s 18th birthday if no claim for ADP has been made. Making a claim for ADP before the child turns 18 is the only way to ensure there is no break in payments, assuming that the child is eligible for ADP.
Guidance on mygov.scot states: “Moving from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment does not happen automatically. You need to apply for Adult Disability Payment even if you already get Child Disability Payment.
“If you’re terminally ill, you do not need to complete an application form if you want to move to Adult Disability Payment. You should contact Social Security Scotland for advice.”
Social Security Scotland will decide if you are eligible for Adult Disability Payment after:
- getting your completed application
- getting all the supporting information they need - which may sometimes include you taking part in a consultation
When you can apply for ADP
The earliest you can apply for Adult Disability Payment is 13 weeks before your 16th birthday. You can decide when you’re ready to apply for ADP.
Until your 18th birthday, you can choose to:
- apply for ADP at any time
- keep getting Child Disability Payment
If you’re between 16 and 18 and getting CDP, Social Security Scotland will write to you to remind you that you can apply for ADP, but you can apply anytime within this period without having first received a letter.
The guidance adds: “If you decide not to apply for Adult Disability Payment before you're 18, you can still make a new application at any time after your Child Disability Payment ends.”
The Scottish Government has a dedicated section on its website - How moving from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment works - which takes parents, guardians and claimants through the steps involved, you can read this here.
If you need more information, contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
To keep up to date with the latest devolved benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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