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Child Disability Payment (Scotland)

Scotland's replacement for DLA for children — a non-means-tested payment for under-16s who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties. Same payment levels as DLA, run by Social Security Scotland with a less adversarial application process.

£1,518 – £9,747 per yearOfficial linksLast verified 27 April 2026

Who it helps

Children under 16 living in Scotland with a disability or long-term health condition that means they need substantially more help with personal care or supervision than other children of the same age, and / or have walking difficulties.

The full picture

Child Disability Payment (CDP) is the Scottish Government's replacement for DLA for under-16s. It started in 2021 and is administered by Social Security Scotland rather than DWP. Payment levels are deliberately matched to DLA so families don't lose out by living in Scotland.

Like DLA, CDP has two components:

**Care component** — based on the help your child needs: - Lowest rate (~£29/wk) - Middle rate (~£73/wk) - Highest rate (~£108/wk)

**Mobility component** — based on walking difficulty: - Lower rate (~£29/wk) — from age 3 - Higher rate (~£75/wk) — from age 5

The Scottish process differs from DLA in several ways: - The application form (Form CDP1) is shorter and clearer than DWP's DLA1A - Social Security Scotland gathers most evidence on the family's behalf, contacting GPs, schools and consultants directly - Decisions usually take 6–10 weeks - The "transitioning" process from CDP to ADP at age 18 is automatic in most cases (with the option to extend to 18 if in education)

If your family moves to Scotland from England, Wales or NI while a child is on DLA, the existing DLA award is "case transferred" to CDP automatically — no new application needed.

Worth knowing before you apply

  • Scotland only — England/Wales/NI use DLA
  • Same payment levels as DLA — Scotland matches DWP rates so families aren't worse off
  • Application process is shorter and Social Security Scotland gathers evidence directly
  • Children moving to Scotland on DLA: their award is automatically case-transferred to CDP
  • CDP transitions to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) automatically when the child turns 18 (or stays on CDP until 18 if in education)
  • Higher Rate Mobility unlocks Motability Scheme eligibility
  • Not means-tested — household income and savings don't affect the award
  • A successful CDP claim can also unlock Carer Support Payment (Scotland's Carer's Allowance) and the disabled-child element of Universal Credit

How to claim

Apply on mygov.scot by completing Part 1 online; Social Security Scotland sends Part 2 by post for medical evidence. They also contact your child's GP, paediatrician, school SENCO and any specialists directly to gather supporting evidence — you don't have to chase letters yourself. Decisions typically take 6–10 weeks.

Apply for Child Disability Payment (mygov.scot)

Independent advice

More help is out there

If your situation is complex, these UK-wide charities and government services can give free, independent advice.

Last verified 27 April 2026
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