What is the Child Disability Payment (CDP) in Scotland?

Child Disability Payment (CDP) is the Scottish equivalent to Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Please see DLA-related information for those in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. 

Social Security Scotland moved Scottish recipients of DLA to CDP automatically when CDP began in 2021. CDP provides support with the extra costs that a disabled child might have. It is not means-tested so does not affect any income-related financial support or taxes. 

You can claim CDP if: 

• You are ordinarily resident in Scotland, habitually resident in the common travel area, not subject to immigration control, are present in the common travel area and have been present for not less than 26 weeks in the previous 52 weeks (limited exemptions apply); and 

• you do not already have a claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for the child in question (see note below); and 

• you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16 with a long-term health condition or disability, such as sight loss; and 

• your child has had these problems for at least 13 weeks; and 

• your child is expected to have these problems for at least 26 weeks; and 

• your child’s needs satisfy the criteria. 

What comes after Child Disability Payment? 

CDP is received until a young person turns 18, after which they will be required to claim Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead. In certain cases, a young person may continue to receive CDP, such as when they are terminally ill or waiting for a decision on their ADP application. 

Further information is available on RNIB’s website: