Supporting over 120,000 disabled children and young people

Our most recently published statistics show that the families of more than 120,000 children and young people in Scotland had received Child Disability Payment by the 31 March 2026. 

Families in Scotland have received over £1.7billion in vital financial support to help with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child or young person.  

Child Disability Payment helps with the additional costs incurred 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.

We can help people apply for Child Disability Payment, both over the phone and through webchat.  Support is also available from the independent advocacy service, Advice Direct Scotland. The organisation supports disabled people throughout the process of applying for benefits from Social Security Scotland.

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

We can also help parents or guardians gather information to support their application from professionals such as teachers and nurses if required. People can also provide and upload this information themselves if they have it.  

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

Additional Information

• 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.