Child Disability Payment decision making guide

Who can make an application

Any adult who meets all of the following criteria:

  • with parental rights and responsibilities for a child
  • who is living with the child
  • who is willing and practicably able to act on the child’s behalf

can submit an application.

Alternatively an appointee may complete an application a child’s behalf.

When a child is 16 years or older

An individual cannot make a new application if they are 16 years or older when the entitlement is taken to have begun (CDP regs, reg. 4 (1)). Individuals aged 16 on the date their application is received by Social Security Scotland whose application is being processed under Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI) are entitled to CDP if entitlement begins from a date before they turned 16.

If an individual submits Part 1 of an application before their 16th birthday but does not submit Part 2 until after they turn 16, their application is valid as long Part 2 is submitted within 6 weeks of Part 1.

If an individual submits both parts of an application before their 16th birthday but a determination is made after they turn 16, their application is still valid as any entitlement to CDP would likely begin on the date when their application was made, which was before their 16th birthday. As long as it is determined their entitlement to Child Disability Payment begins before they reach age 16 then an award can be made.

New applications for disability assistance for an individual who is 16 years or older would be for Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

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