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Publication - Publication

Child Disability Payment decision making guide

Published
26 Sept 2025
Topic
Child Disability Payment
Effect of time spent in care homes, hospitals or similar institutions and residential educational establishments

Calculating the length of stay

The days on which the child or young person arrives at and then goes home from alternative accommodation do not count in calculating the length of stay (CDP regs, reg. 19(1)).

Example: Calculating the length of stay in alternative accommodation

Julia arrives at a care home on the 3rd of July and leaves on the 1st of August. The days she arrived and left do not count so Julia’s length of stay in the care home is 28 days. Julia’s payment of the care component is not affected because this does not exceed 28 days.

If a child or young person enters alternative accommodation from either:

  • a hospital
  • a hospice
  • another care home
  • a residential educational establishment

the day they enter is counted as part of the length of stay (CDP regs, reg. 19(4)).

Example: Calculating the length of stay when transferring from hospital to a care home

Stacey transfers from hospital to a care home on the 20th of May and leaves the care home on the 18th of June. The day she transferred to the care home counts when calculating the relevant period but the day she left does not count. The period of time Stacey spends in the care home is therefore 29 days. As this exceeds 28 days, Stacey cannot receive the care component of her award for the 29th day.

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