EMYLIE HOWIE
Renfrewshire parents who have a disabled child can now apply for the new Scottish Government Child Disability Payment.
The benefit was rolled out across the country today and has been hailed by the area’s MSP Tom Arthur as “a significant milestone for Scotland’s new social security system”.
The payment provides money to help with the extra costs of caring for a child with a disability or ill-health condition.
For the first time anywhere in the UK, applicants can apply for Child Disability Payment online, as well as by phone, post or face-to-face.
As the Child Disability Payment replaces the UK Government’s Disability Living Allowance for children, this is for new applications. Those already receiving Disability Living Allowance for children do not need to apply.
There’s approximately 52,000 current cases being automatically transferred in phases from the Department for Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland and this will be completed by spring 2023.
This is the first of three complex disability benefits to be introduced by the Scottish Government, with Adult Disability Payment to start next year.
Mr Arthur, who represents Renfrewshire South, said:“The Child Disability Payment is a significant milestone for Scotland’s new social security system.
“I’m extremely pleased that families in Renfrewshire South will benefit from a simplified and much less stressful system that allows them to apply for the payment online, by phone, by post or face-to-face.
“For too long, families have faced an overly complicated process that feels like it’s been designed to keep them out.
“I’m glad that people in Renfrewshire South, and right across Scotland, are benefitting from an SNP Government that is putting dignity, fairness and respect at the heart of its social security system.”
For too long, families have faced an overly complicated process that feels like it’s been designed to keep them out