Please be aware that this benefit is for people in Scotland only.

Waiting times

I have been unable to find an exact timeframe. I have seen wait times that range from 3 months – 6 months, and potentially even as much as 8 months, but, if in doubt, contact Social Security Scotland.

Child Disability Payment provides extra money for the additional costs that a disabled child might have. Any adult who has parental responsibilities or a guardian can apply on behalf of the child if the child is under 16 and lives in Scotland.

Child Disability Payment is made up of 2 components:
Care (Children 3 months and over may qualify for the care component) This is also split into 3 payment rates – apply for the rate that fits your circumstances the best.
Mobility (Children 3 years old and over may qualify for the mobility component) – There are 2 payment rates for this component – apply for the rate that fits your circumstances the best.

Note that after you complete the first part of the application, the second part must be completed within 6 weeks.

The application is split into 2 parts. To apply for part 1, you’ll need:

• You and the child’s details, such as date of birth and main address
• Child’s Child Reference Number (If you know it)
• Your National Insurance Number
• Details of the bank, building society or credit union you’d like the Child Disability Payment to be paid into

For part 2, you’ll need:

• Information about the child’s condition, disability, or symptoms – especially if they don’t have a diagnosis
• Information on any medical tests the child has had, as well as the results, if possible
• Contact details of a professional who can confirm the child’s conditions, disability or needs
• Contact details of anyone else in the child’s life who can give more information about the child’s condition or disability – this can be someone who looks after them, or a family member

The types of questions to expect can be found here – these should only be used as a reference.

If your child’s application is successful

If the application is successful, the earliest date to which you should receive payment is either from the date you submitted the first part of your application (if you applied online), or, from when you phoned Social Security Scotland, if you applied via phone or paper form.

If your child’s application is unsuccessful

If the application is unsuccessful, you can choose to challenge the decision and ask for a mandatory reconsideration.

When the child turns 16

The parent, guardian, or whoever looks after the child will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland. It will ask if the young person receiving the claim can manage their own Child Disability Payment, and if they have the means to get the payments sent directly to them – if not, someone can be named to manage the young person’s payment for them.

Between 16 and 18, the young person who has Child Disability Payment can choose if they would like to stay on Child Disability Payment until they are 18, or they can choose to apply for Adult Disability Payment before they are 18.

Adult Disability Payment

Adult Disability Payment can be applied for at 13 weeks before the young person turns 16. If this is successful, they will start receiving Adult Disability Payment instead. (You can find my page on ADP here!)

Disclaimer: To the best of my ability, the information found on this website is correct at the time of writing.

Page last updated on:19/01/2026