Child Disability Payment decision making guide
Change of circumstances after an application is submitted and before a decision is made
Once a full application is submitted, a case manager may ask an individual to provide supporting information.
The individual has four weeks to provide this to Social Security Scotland.
An individual may experience a change of circumstances:
- after an application has been submitted
- before a determination has been made.
A case manager should take any new information into account once they are made aware of it.
A further application is not necessary after a report of a change of circumstances.
In this scenario, a case manager makes two determinations. This is if the change reported or new information provided affects the original award.
The first award takes into account the care and/or mobility needs of the individual based on the original information provided in the application.
The second award takes into account the care and/or mobility needs of the individual based on the change reported or the new information.
This could result in two different rates of award, which is known as a split award. See operational guidance on split awards.
The second award is effective for payment once the individual meets the backwards test for the new information.
Two separate determinations of entitlement sent to the individual explain this.
Twelve year old Mandy has epilepsy and needs continual supervision during the day. Mandy’s mother submits an application for CDP on her behalf on 1 March. Two months later, Mandy’s mum contacts Social Security Scotland to let them know that Mandy:
- has been in a car accident on 28 April
- is severely injured
- is virtually unable to walk any distance without experiencing severe discomfort
The supporting information indicates that her recovery will take at least 8 to 10 months.
The case manager determines that from 1 March Mandy is entitled to the:
- middle rate of the care component
- lower rate of the mobility component
This award is based on Mandy’s needs as a result of epilepsy.
The case manager then makes another award:
- based on the information they have received about Mandy’s needs resulting from her walking restriction
- that now meets the criteria for higher rate of the mobility component
They determine that she will be entitled to:
- the highest rate of the care component
- the higher rate of the mobility component
once she meets the backwards test of 13 weeks from the date of the accident. Mandy will therefore be eligible for this rate from 28 July.
Two separate determinations of entitlement set out both of these awards.
Nine year old Josh has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. His mother applies for CDP on 10 June 2020. The application suggests that because of his needs Josh is likely to be entitled to the:
- lower rate of the mobility component
- lowest rate of the care component
These are based on Josh needing:
- supervision when moving around outside
- prompting with personal care tasks like washing and dressing.
Before the case manager makes the determination, they receive information that Josh has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on 5 August 2020. This means he now needs:
- assistance with administering insulin on a daily basis
- careful monitoring of his blood glucose levels
Josh cannot do this himself because of his ADHD. His mum must do this for him.
The case manager takes into account the new diagnosis and the sudden onset of a new condition to make two awards.
The first award covers the period from 10 June 2020 to 3 November and the second from 3 November 2020 onwards.
The case manager determines that Josh is entitled to the lower rate of the mobility component and middle rate of the care component from 3 November. This is 13 weeks after the onset of Josh’s increased needs due to Type 1 diabetes.