Child Disability Payment decision making guide
Cancelling entitlement
Before accepting a request to cancel entitlement, the case manager should:
- explain the consequences of deciding to cancel entitlement
- tell the individual which other Social Security Scotland benefits they might be eligible for, if any
- signpost the individual to independent advice services, such as their local Citizens Advice Bureau, ahead of making a final decision.
The consequence of cancelling entitlement is that the individual will have to reapply if they want Social Security Scotland to consider their eligibility for CDP at a future date.
If the individual reapplies, Social Security Scotland will make a new determination of entitlement. If the outcome of the determination of entitlement is that the client is entitled to CDP, the ordinary rules on when entitlement begins will apply.
If the individual is certain that they want to cancel entitlement after hearing this information, then the case manager must do this. This rule only applies if cancellation is the correct step rather than:
- making a determination without application due to a change of circumstances
- arranging for a new client representative to act on behalf of the child.
Liara is 17 and has dyslexia and dyspraxia. She is entitled to the lowest rate of the care component of CDP. Liara requests that CDP stop being paid on 10 October. She insists that she no longer requires attention for a significant portion of the day and does not want to continue to be paid CDP.
The case manager explains to Liara that:
- the change in her needs are a change of circumstance
- her case would therefore be subject to a determination without application rather than cancelling entitlement.
The case manager also discusses the impact of stopping payment of CDP with Liara to make sure she is certain about the decision. They also ensure that Liara understands the impact stopping CDP will have, for example on any passported benefits.
Liara decides that the case manager should review her case on the basis of a change in circumstances. The case manager gathers supporting information and carries out a determination without application. They determine that Liara is no longer entitled to the lower rate of the care component as she no longer requires attention for the significant portion of the day. The case manager stops entitlement to CDP for Liara from 10 October.
Cole is 13 and has autism. He is entitled to the lowest rate of the care component of CDP. On 12 January, Cole’s fathers request that CDP stop being paid. They have recently received a large inheritance and do not wish to receive financial support in the form of CDP for Cole anymore.
The case manager discusses the consequence of cancelling CDP with Cole’s fathers and the case manager confirms that this is not a case where Social Security Scotland needs to make a determination without application because of a change of circumstances or find a new client representative for Cole.
The case manager accepts this request and cancels Cole’s entitlement to CDP.