Over 100,000 families of disabled children getting financial support in Scotland

Families in Scotland have received over £1.2bn in vital financial support to help with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child or young person.

The most recently published statistics show that at the end of June 2025, the families of almost 105,000 children and young people in Scotland were receiving Child Disability Payment.

The benefit helps with the extra costs experienced by families and carers of children or young people who are disabled, terminally ill or who have a long-term health condition.

The benefit is available to parents and carers, even if they are working or have savings.

Our staff can help people apply for Child Disability Payment, both over the phone and through webchat.

People can also contact us to request an in-person appointment with one of our local advisers based in communities across Scotland.

Our staff can help parents or guardians gather information to support their application from professionals such as teachers and nurses - though people can also provide this information themselves if they have it.

Maggie, whose 9-year-old son gets Child Disability Payment says the money has made a big difference in their lives:

“My son has autism and he finds buses and trains overwhelming. He’d get so stressed out and try to run away.

“I have a vivid memory of him sitting in the bus stop with me and his younger sister and then out of the blue, shooting away towards the busy road.

“Child Disability Payment has made a difference to us in a lot of ways, but being able to pay for taxis and keep him safe has given me so much peace of mind.

“The application process was much more straightforward than I’d expected. I phoned Social Security Scotland and they set up an appointment with a lovely woman in my local library and she helped me with everything.”

For more information on Child Disability Payment and to apply, visit mygov.scot/child-disability-payment.

Background

• Child Disability Payment is the replacement for DLA for children in Scotland, All children and young people who were previously getting the Department for Work and Pensions benefit have been moved to Child Disability Payment.
• Social Security Scotland wants everyone eligible to apply for Child Disability Payment. It is not means-tested, is non-taxable and can help people access other types of support, such as a Blue Badge, Housing Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit.
• If someone completes their application for Adult Disability Payment before their 18th birthday, they’ll continue to get Child Disability Payment until a decision is made on their application or until they turn 19 years old, whichever is earlier.