What is Child Disability Payment?

Child Disability Payment (CDP) is Scotland's disability benefit for children. It "helps with the extra costs a disabled child might have", and is run by Social Security Scotland, not the DWP. It replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children living in Scotland. A child cannot receive DLA for children and CDP at the same time.

CDP is tax-free. It has two parts, a care component and a mobility component, and a child can get one or both.

Reference: Child Disability Payment, mygov.scot

Who can apply?

An adult with parental responsibilities and rights, or a guardian, can apply on behalf of a child who:

is under 16
lives in Scotland

There are also routes for some children living elsewhere in the EEA, Switzerland or Gibraltar with a genuine link to Scotland, and for adults caring for a child who does not live with a parent or guardian. Details: Who should apply, mygov.scot

Does my child need an ADHD or autism diagnosis?

No. mygov.scot says: "You can also apply if the child does not have a diagnosis." You can tell Social Security Scotland how your child is affected and what symptoms they have.

This matters for families on long NHS waiting lists. CDP is based on the extra care, supervision or mobility help a child needs, not on the name of a condition. mygov.scot lists the kinds of difficulty that can count, including "emotional", "behavioural", "mental", "developmental" and "learning" difficulties, as well as physical ones.

A diagnosis, or letters from professionals who know your child (for example a GP, paediatrician, CAMHS, teacher or support for learning staff), can still help Social Security Scotland understand your child's needs.

Rates

The rates below are as shown on mygov.scot in October 2026. Rates are increased each April, so always check the current figures on mygov.scot.

Care component (children aged 3 months or older)

Lowest rate: £30.30 per week
Middle rate: £76.70 per week
Highest rate: £114.60 per week

Mobility component (children aged 3 or older)

Lower rate: £30.30 per week (for a child aged 5 or older who can walk but needs help from another person to move around outdoors)
Higher rate: £80.00 per week

mygov.scot sets out what each rate is for. For example, the middle care rate covers a child who needs help "throughout the day" or "throughout the night" with bodily functions, or who needs to be "supervised throughout the day to avoid danger to themselves or others", or the same "throughout the night". The highest care rate covers needs both day and night. Among the higher mobility rate criteria is a child who "has a severe mental disability with severe behavioural difficulties". Read the full criteria on mygov.scot rather than relying on this summary.

Children getting the highest care rate also get Child Winter Heating Payment.

How to apply

You can apply online through myaccount, or by phone and paper: call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) and they will send you a paper form. You cannot download a printable form.

The application has two parts:

Part 1: your and your child's personal details, your National Insurance number and bank details. You can still apply without a bank account.
Part 2: your child's conditions and sensory issues, the help and supervision they need during the day and at night (including when they are not with you), help moving around outdoors, and any treatment, therapies, medication or equipment.

mygov.scot says you should complete part 2 within 6 weeks of part 1, and to contact Social Security Scotland if you need more time. Part 2 can take a long time, but you do not have to do it all at once.

Social Security Scotland can help you apply. British Sign Language users can contact them through Contact Scotland BSL.

References: How to apply · What you need to apply

Tips for describing ADHD or autism needs

These are general suggestions, not benefits advice:

Describe a typical day and a difficult day, including what happens at night.
Focus on the extra help or supervision your child needs compared with other children the same age, for example keeping them safe, managing meltdowns or shutdowns, sleep, eating, or getting through transitions.
Include what happens at school or nursery as well as at home. Part 2 asks about help needed when your child is not with you.
Keep a short diary for a week or two before you fill in part 2.

If you disagree with the decision

Social Security Scotland sends a decision letter, called a notice of determination. By law it must explain the decision and what you can do if you disagree.

Re-determination: you can ask Social Security Scotland to look at the decision again. Your letter tells you the deadline.
Appeal: if you still disagree after the re-determination, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.

You can request a re-determination or an appeal online, by phone on 0800 182 2222, or by post. Free help is available from Citizens Advice Scotland and advocacy services.

References: Decision about your application · Requesting a re-determination or an appeal

When your child turns 16

Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is the disability benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age. See our Adult Disability Payment guide.

Child Disability Payment (CDP)