From November 22, 2021, the new Child Disability Payment (CDP) will be open for applications in Scotland. CDP is set to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children in the country, with previous DLA claimants not needing to apply for the new benefit as they will be contacted ahead of their payments being transferred. Specifically, the scheme has been arranged to support children who need extra care or supervision needs.
Furthermore, CDP is also available to households with children who have mobility problems because of a disability or long-term health condition.
Previously, the benefit payment was piloted across the Dundee City, Perth & Kinross and the Western Isles council areas in July.
At this moment in time, the scheme is set to be solely rolled out in Scotland as it is being introduced by the Scottish Government and administered by Social Security Scotland.
According to the Scottish Government, CDP benefit payments will be paid at the same rates and at the same time as their DLA.
Currently, Disability Living Allowance is made up of two separate payment parts: the ‘care component’ and the ‘mobility component’.
Care component payments are paid at three different weekly rates of lowest, middle and highest, which are £23.70, £60 and £89.60, respectively.
Mobility component payments are paid at two different weekly rates of lower and higher, which are £23.70 and £62.55, respectively.
The introduction of CDP is set to begin in a phased capacity from October, with the aim of reaching all DLA recipients by spring 2023.
Social Security Scotland have already begun transferring the cases of young people aged 16 or over who receive Disability Living Allowance for children and those with a terminal illness.
Other cases are set to be rolled into Child Disability Payment by spring of next year.
On top of this, CDP is set to be the first disability benefit in the UK that can be applied via online, as well through post, phone, or in-person.
Shona Robison, the Scottish Government’s Social Justice Secretary, outlined the Holyrood Government’s reasoning for replacing Disability Living Allowance with this new Child Benefit payment.
Ms Robison said: “We have developed Child Disability Payment with families involved throughout the entire process, so that we ensure their needs and expectations are at the centre of everything we do.
“We have learned from the challenges families typically experience in the UK service and have developed a simplified, less time consuming and much less stressful system that treats everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.
“We are committed to doing things differently and making sure that applying for and receiving disability assistance from Social Security Scotland is fundamentally different to the UK system.
“I am proud that we are now in the position to expand Child Disability Payment across the country after thoroughly and successfully testing our processes in the Dundee, Perth & Kinross and the Western Isles pilot.”
Following the launch of the benefit scheme, Mairi Simpson, a Family Support Worker for Parent to Parent in Perth & Kinross, revealed how parents have found the CDP.
Ms Simpson said: “The feedback from parents has been extremely positive.
“Parents felt the forms were easier than they had envisioned and when they spoke to someone on the phone, calls were pleasant and helpful.”
Households in Scotland which have children with a disability should reach out to Social Security Scotland to begin their claim, if they are not already receiving Disability Living Allowance.
For all the latest Business News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
