A child must be at least 13 weeks (CDP regs, reg. 4 (1)) and be under the age of 16 (CDP regs, reg. 4 (2)), when entitlement to CDP begins.

A child should be at least 13 weeks old to be entitled because the backwards test is 13 weeks. Different rules apply if a child is terminally ill. Under Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI), a child is eligible from birth.

An application can be made in advance of a child meeting either the:

• age criteria
• the backwards test.

An application can be submitted up to 13 weeks before the age criteria has been met . This is because the backwards test for CDP is 13 weeks. Different rules apply if a child is terminally ill. Under Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI), a child is eligible from birth.

If the individual meets the other eligibility criteria, including the backwards test, entitlement should begin on the date that the age criteria is met. The case manager should consider the application as having been made on the day that the age criteria is satisfied (CDP regs, reg 24 (2)(a) and (b)). This is called an pre-emptive application.

An application can be submitted for children in the 13 weeks before:

• their 3rd birthday for the higher rate (CDP regs, reg. 13 (1))
• their 5th birthday for the lower rate (CDP regs, reg. 12 (1))

of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment.