Child Disability Payment decision making guide
Applying the backwards and forwards tests
Individuals must satisfy the backwards and forwards tests to be entitled to a higher rate of either component of CDP when their award is reviewed.
The backwards test requires the individual to have met at least one of the ‘qualifying criteria’ for an award for 13 weeks immediately preceding the date that the new award would begin. The ‘qualifying criteria’ for each of the different CDP awards are set out in the chapter on the Backwards and Forwards Test. The qualifying criteria for entitlement to the care component of CDP can be found at Criteria of the care component, and the qualifying criteria for the mobility components can be found at Lower rate mobility component and higher rate mobility component.
The forwards test requires the individual to be likely to continue to satisfy at least of one of the qualifying criteria for 26 weeks after the date of entitlement.
To apply the backwards and forwards test, the case manager needs to know the date that the award would begin. The case manager should work out the date that the award would begin, and then check to make sure that the individual satisfies the backwards and forwards test on this date. This chapter explains what to do if the backwards test is not met on this date but the forwards test is.
If the individual meets the qualifying criteria for the middle or higher rate care component, they only need to have met at least one of the qualifying criteria found at Criteria of the care component throughout the period that the backwards and forwards test applies to.