What is Child Disability Payment?

What it is

Child Disability Payment helps with the extra costs of bringing up a disabled child. It is paid by Social Security Scotland and is tax-free. It replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children in Scotland.

Who it is for

• children under 16 who live in Scotland
• children with a physical or mental disability, or physical or non-physical difficulties such as emotional, behavioural, developmental or learning needs
• children with or without a diagnosis

Any adult with parental responsibilities and rights, or a guardian, can apply. A child cannot get DLA and Child Disability Payment at the same time.

How much it pays (2026/27)

Your child can get one part or both. The care part can start from 3 months old.

Worked example

Ellie is 7. She gets the middle rate care part and the higher rate mobility part.

• £76.70 + £80.00 = £156.70 a week
• Every 4 weeks: £626.80

The most a child can get is £194.60 a week (highest care plus higher mobility).

How to apply

The application has 2 parts. Try to finish part 2 within 6 weeks of part 1. You can ask for more time, and you do not need to give a reason.

• Online through mygov.scot. You can save and come back.
• By phone: call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).

For part 2, gather information about your child's condition or symptoms, test results, contact details for professionals, and notes from people who care for your child. A letter from school, a prescription list or an appointment letter can help. You can send evidence after you apply.

If your child is terminally ill, anyone can apply for them with the consent of the parent, guardian or appointee, and payments are made weekly in advance.

Things to know

• Payments: normally every 4 weeks, in arrears, into the bank account you give.
• Moving from England or Wales: tell DWP and apply for Child Disability Payment as soon as possible. DLA for children carries on for up to 13 weeks after you move to Scotland.
• At 16: Social Security Scotland checks whether your child can manage their own payments. From 16 to 18 they can stay on Child Disability Payment or apply for Adult Disability Payment.
• At 18: it usually stops. Moving to Adult Disability Payment is not automatic, so your child must apply before turning 18. The earliest they can apply is 13 weeks before turning 16.

If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

You cannot get Child Disability Payment. Claim Disability Living Allowance for children instead.

Related guides

• Can I get DLA for my child?
• What is Adult Disability Payment?
• What is Carer Support Payment in Scotland?
• What is Scottish Child Payment?

Where these figures come from

• Child Disability Payment (mygov.scot)
• How to apply
• Who should apply
• What you need to apply
• Payments
• Moving from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment
• Disability Living Allowance for children (GOV.UK)