Category: Scotland

This week sees the roll out of Adult Disability Payment to replace new claims for Personal Independence Payment in three new Scottish council areas. These areas are North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and Angus.

This means that if you live in one of the following areas and do not already get Personal Independence Payment it is too late to make a new claim and you will need to claim Adult Disability Payment instead.

This now applies in:

Claims for Adult Disability Payment by new claimants can be made on-line at mygov.scot or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

This only applies to new claimants. People in Scotland already receiving Personal Independence Payment will continue to receive that benefit for the time-being.  PIP awards claimants will be transferred onto Adult Disability Payment in stages starting from this summer.  Transfers will be done automatically without needing to make a claim and without any need for a reassessment.

For more information about Adult Disability Payment see our webpage on Adult Disability Payment and benefits at 16.

All carers in Scotland who were getting Carer’s Allowance on 11 April 2022 will receive a lump sum payment of £245.70 from Social Security Scotland during the coming week. 

The supplement is an extra payment, paid twice a year, to people in Scotland who get Carer’s Allowance. You don’t need to apply for the supplement as it is paid automatically to Carer’s Allowance recipients.

Most people will receive their payment today, Friday 10 June, but some people may have to wait a few more days. If you’re eligible, you will receive a letter notifying you a payment has been made.

If you think you qualify but have still not received a letter or payment by Friday 17 June, call Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222.

Find our more about Carer’s Allowance, benefits you might be entitled to and welfare benefits in Scotland.

From April the Scottish Child Payment will be doubling from £10 to £20 per week. If you are a family in Scotland on means tested benefits and have a child aged under 6, make sure you are claim this benefit if you have not already done so.

What is the Scottish Child Payment?

The Scottish child payment is an extra amount paid to low income families for each child they have aged under 6 years. From late 2022 the payment will be extended to children aged under 16. The payment does not impact on any other benefits you receive.

Who qualifies for the Scottish Child Payment?

To qualify for a Scottish child payment a family must live in Scotland and must be receiving ‘a qualifying benefit’. This means you must be getting one of the following:

You also need to show that you are the person responsible for the child in question. You are treated as responsible for them if:

How do I apply for the Scottish Child Payment?

The payment is made by Social Security Scotland. To apply, you can either call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or visit the Scottish Government website here.

Further information

You can find out more about the Scottish Child Payment and other welfare benefits in Scotland at our webpages on welfare benefits in Scotland.

A new benefit in Scotland for disabled adults aged between 16 and pension credit qualifying age launches in Scotland today. This new benefit – called Adult Disability Payment – will replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland.

The new benefit will initially pilot in certain specific council areas before rolling out to the rest of Scotland on 29 August.

When can I make a new claim for Adult Disability Payment?

Initially, the Adult Disability Payment is only replacing new claims for PIP.

The date you can make a new claim for Adult Disability Payment will depend on where in Scotland you live:

You can make an application for the new benefit online at mygov.scot or by calling free on 0800 182 2222. British Sign Language users can use video relay via the contactSCOTLAND BSL app.

What happens to existing PIP or DLA claimants?

Adults in Scotland who are already getting PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults won’t transfer onto the new Adult Disability Payment until later in the summer. This process is expected to happen in stages.

Once existing claimants start to transfer, this will happen automatically without the need for existing claimants to make an application for the new benefit.

How does Adult Disability Payment differ to PIP?

The new benefit’s eligibility criteria are very similar to PIP. But the way the benefit is assessed is expected to be different to PIP. Social Security Scotland plans to have much fewer face-to-face assessments. Social Security Scotland may still ask you to attend an assessment if it believes this is the only practical way to get the information it needs. But that assessment won’t be carried out by a private company.

Adult Disability Payment awards are also likely to be for longer periods. The Scottish Government recently confirmed that disabled people on the highest rates of the benefit, who have conditions unlikely to change, will receive indefinite awards of Adult Disability Payment. This means their award will not be subject to regular reviews.

Find out more

Read more about welfare benefits in Scotland or benefits across the UK (including Scotland).

You can also read about other financial support in Scotland.

The Scottish government has launched a consultation on its plans for Carer’s Assistance, a new benefit that will replace Carer’s Allowance in Scotland.

When the new benefit is first launched, it is likely that its rules will closely mirror Carer’s Allowance. In the medium to long term, the Scottish government hopes to make a number of changes to Carer’s Assistance. These include:  

The Scottish government is seeking the views of carers in Scotland about its plans. You can find out more about their consultation on the government’s website.

The consultation is open until 23rd May 2022. You can respond in writing or online via the Scottish government’s consultation hub.

Read more about Carer’s Allowance and other benefits and tax credits, including welfare benefits particular to Scotland.

We will continue to campaign on improvements to Carer’s Allowance across the UK.

Children and young people in Scotland aged 5-21 can now apply for a National Entitlement Card granting free travel on registered bus services across the country.

You can read more about eligibility and apply online now.

Free bus travel for 5-21 year olds begins from 31 January 2022.

Free bus travel for disabled people and their companions

Disabled people over five years old are also eligible for free bus travel in Scotland. In some cases, this includes free travel for a disabled person’s companion, too – see eligibility.

Anyone aged 5-21 may be better off applying for young person’s free bus travel instead if they want to avoid having to reapply once the proof of their disability expires.

But if a disabled person’s eligibility includes free travel for a companion as well, they should apply for that option.

More information about help with transport costs

Visit our webpage on transport and leisure discounts for advice on other forms of financial support available to help disabled people get out and about.


Featured image: “Lothian Buses 654 in Edinburgh” by simon835 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

The Scottish government have confirmed that Adult Disability Payment, a new benefit replacing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland, will be piloted in specific council areas from March before being rolled out across the country from August 2022.

Initially, the Adult Disability Payment will only replace new claims for PIP by disabled adults of working age who are not already getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or PIP. This pilot will start from 21 March 2022 in the council areas of Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles.

Further council areas will then be introduced in phases:

Read our webpage about Adult Disability Payment or take a look at our Money Matters Scotland guide for more information on the benefits, grants and other sources of financial support that may be available to you.

News story photo credit: Jeff Nyveen, Flickr

The Scottish government has confirmed that Carer’s Allowance claimants in Scotland will receive a lump sum payment of £462.80 on 15 December 2021.

This payment of the Carer’s Allowance supplement is double the normal amount of this payment. 

What is the Carer’s Allowance Supplement?

The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is a lump sum payment made twice a year to carers in Scotland who receive Carer’s Allowance. You need to be receiving actual payments of Carer’s Allowance – it’s not enough merely to have an underlying entitlement to the benefit.

To get December’s payment, you need to have been in receipt of Carer’s Allowance on  11/10/21. 

How do I apply?

You won’t have to do anything to receive the supplement payment. Instead, you should receive a payment automatically.  It’ll be paid into the same account into which you receive your Carer’s allowance. 

If you think you should qualify but don’t receive a payment on 15 December, contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday).

If you’re a British Sign Language user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND app to contact Social Security Scotland by video relay. Alternatively, you can write to: Carer’s Allowance Supplement, PO Box 10302, Dundee, DD1 9FX.

Don’t live in Scotland but claim Carer’s Allowance?

We think all carers across the UK should get the Carer’s Allowance supplement to recognise the vital contribution unpaid carers make to society.

If you’re an unpaid carer and you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, get in touch with your MP and tell them that you think the Carer’s Allowance supplement should be applied across the UK.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has this week announced that the Scottish government will be doubling the Scottish Child Payment from £10 to £20 per week, starting from April 2022.

What is the Scottish Child Payment?

The Scottish child payment is an extra amount paid to low income families for each child they have aged under six years. From late 2022, the payment will be extended to children aged under 16. The payment does not impact on any other benefits you receive.

Who qualifies for the Scottish child payment?

To qualify for a Scottish child payment, a family must live in Scotland and must be receiving “a qualifying benefit”. This means you must be getting one of the following:

You also need to show that you are the person responsible for the child in question. You are treated as responsible for them if one of the following applies:

How do I apply for the Scottish Child Payment?

The payment is made by Social Security Scotland. To apply, either call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or visit https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/how-to-apply

Further information

You can find out more about the Scottish Child Payment and other welfare benefits in Scotland at our webpages on welfare benefits in Scotland.

You can also read about financial support from Scottish local authorities.

Featured image credit: “Liking the animals on Scottish bank notes. #tenner #fiver #money #cash #banknotes #Scottishponds #scotland #otters” by World of Oddy is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Today, Monday 22 November, sees the national launch of the Child Disability Payment, a new benefit that is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children in Scotland.  

If you live anywhere in Scotland and have a disabled child aged under 16 who is not already getting DLA, it is no longer possible to make a new claim for DLA. You will need to claim Child Disability Payment instead.

Children in Scotland who are already on DLA will be automatically transferred onto Child Disability Payment. This will happen gradually between now and Spring 2023.

What is Child Disability Payment?

Child Disability Payment is a new disability benefit administered by Social Security Scotland. You can make a claim for a disabled child aged under 16 who lives in Scotland and who needs more care or supervision than other children of the same age or who has difficulties in getting around outdoors.

You can claim if your child has a disability of any type, and you don’t need to wait for a formal diagnosis. The benefit is not means-tested, so it makes no difference what income and savings you have or whether you are working or not.

How do I claim Child Disability Payment?

If you don’t already get DLA for your child then you can apply for Child Disability Payment. You can do this in a variety of ways.

You can claim online at mygov.scot/child-disability-payment or make a claim by telephone on 0800 182 2222. You can also use this number to ask for a paper form to be sent out or to book an appointment for face-to-face help from Social Security Scotland staff in completing the form.

What about children in Scotland who are already getting DLA?

Families in Scotland who already get DLA for a child won’t need to make a claim for Child Disability Payment. Instead, they will be automatically transferred onto Child Disability Payment.  

Don’t worry – your child won’t need to be reassessed as part of this process. You will simply start to receive Child Disability Payments instead of DLA, paid at the same amount and on the same payment dates as before. 

Older children on DLA will be transferred onto Child Disability Payment first, alongside children who are terminally ill. This will happen between now and Spring 2022. We expect 17-year-olds to be transferred first, then 16-year-olds, then children who are within 6 months of their 16th birthday.

The process of transferring all other younger children on DLA isn’t expected to start until Spring 2022. All Scottish DLA child claims should be transferred onto Child Disability Payment by Spring 2023

For more information on Child Disability Payment see our Child Disability Payment webpage or call our free helpline.

You can also read more about welfare benefits in Scotland, benefits across the UK and other financial support from Scottish local authorities.

New rules mean that child winter heating assistant payments can be made to parents in Scotland who have a young person aged under 19 on the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Up until now, this annual payment has been made to families with a child under 19 getting the higher rate care of either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the new Child Disability Payment.

Child winter heating assistance is a lump sum payment in Scotland to help families with severely disabled children pay their winter heating costs.

How much is child winter heating assistance?

Child winter assistance is an annual payment of £202 made to each family in Scotland who has a child under 19 who gets one of the benefits mentioned above.

You will get this new winter payment for each child in your family who gets one of the qualifying disability benefits, regardless of what other income you have. To qualify, your child must have been receiving one of these benefits for at least one day in the 3rd week of September. 

A policy note issued by the Scottish Government confirms that families who have a young person who was on PIP enhanced daily living component last September 2020 will also be awarded a backdated payment to cover winter 2020/21.

The payment is made automatically using Department for Work and Pensions / Social Security Scotland records, so you do not need to apply. Payments are made during the winter in batches.

If you think you should qualify for a payment but have not received a letter about this by the 31 December, please contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

Find out more about welfare benefits in Scotland

Read more about welfare benefits in Scotland, financial support from Scottish local authorities and benefits for all UK families.

Child Disability Payment is a new benefit that is being introduced in Scotland to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children. It is being launched gradually and currently only applies in three pilot areas.

From 22 November 2021 it will replace new claims for DLA across the whole of Scotland. Later, existing DLA claimants in Scotland will also be transferred over onto this new benefit. 

Listen to our new podcast episode on Child Disability Payment, in which one of our benefits advisers, Derek, explains what Child Disability Payment is and how will be introduced across Scotland. 

Visit the following links to subscribe to our podcast, The helpful podcast for families with disabled children, at popular podcast platforms:

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Overcast

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RadioPublic

You can also find out more information about the introduction of Child Disability Payment in Scotland by using our frequently asked questions tool on our website. 

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children in Scotland is gradually being replaced by a new benefit called Child Disability Payment.

This process has already started in the council areas of Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Western Isles. It will be rolled out to the rest of Scotland from November.  

Our benefits expert Derek will be taking over our Contact in Scotland Facebook page this Thursday 26th August from 10am-12noon to answer any questions you have about the new benefit.

Look out for our special thread on the day, where you can post your questions!

Find out more about welfare benefits in Scotland or more about our work in Scotland.

We know that some families we support in Scotland may be worried about their child’s return to school or college next week and in particular, what the latest Covid-19 rules are for children when they are back in class. With most restrictions being lifted in Scotland from today, 9 August, here’s what we know about the covid rules for children and young people returning to schools and colleges:

Read the Scottish government’s guidance for schools which takes effect from today.

Access to vaccinations for children and young people in Scotland

All young people 16 to 17 years of age will now be offered the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination in Scotland in line with the latest advice from the JCVI. They will be invited to register their interest through the online portal at NHS Inform, and will then be sent an appointment via SMS or email. Eligible young people in Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles will be contacted by their health board and invited to attend clinics. Alternatively, drop-in clinics will be available for 16 to 17-years-olds starting from Tuesday 10 August. You can find your local drop-in centre via the NHS inform vaccine drop-in clinic page.

In addition, last week, the Scottish government confirmed that around 4000 children and young people with certain conditions will be offered the Pfizer vaccine before schools return on 16 August. Families should be contacted by their local Health Board or by their regular healthcare professional.

Worried about the return to school? We’re here for you.

Take a look in our online Fledglings shop for lots of resources to help ease any anxiety your child might have about the return to school.

And don’t forget, our free Listening Ear service is here for you if you need talk to someone about your concerns about the return to school or anything else worrying you. Please book your free Listening Ear appointment to talk to one of our friendly family support advisers about anything and everything.

If you have a query or would like to talk through any concerns you have about your child going back to school or need other information and support just now, then please don’t hesitate to email our Contact in Scotland enquiry line [email protected] or call 07458 046071 (Monday to Wednesdays).

Coffee and Chat with Contact Scotland

Join us via Zoom on Thursday 19th August 10.30am-11.30am for an informal coffee and chat.  Just a chance for you to drop by, say hello, talk to other parents and carers and raise any queries you may have with the Scotland team.  We would love to hear from you so do join us by clicking the Zoom link below on the day. We look forward to seeing you then!

Related information

Take a look at our comprehensive information about education and learning for disabled children and young people.

If your child if feeling anxious about the return to school after the summer break listen back to our webinar on managing behaviour and anxiety with Dionne Hollis (Occupational Therapist) and Stephanie Carr (Speech and Language Therapist) on support strategies for managing behaviour and anxiety.  

Salveson Mindroom have created resources for a Back to school (mindroom.org) toolkit for families to help with concerns around returning to school.

The Scottish government has confirmed that children and young people with certain conditions will be offered the Pfizer vaccine before the majority of schools return on 16 August.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised on 15 July that children and young people aged 12-15 years old with severe neuro-disabilities, Down’s syndrome, underlying conditions resulting in immunosuppression, and those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities are considered at risk for serious Covid-19 disease and should be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.

The JCVI also recommended vaccinating young people aged 16 to 17 years of age who are at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

The vaccine will now be offered to around 4,000 affected children and young people in Scotland. In addition, children and young people aged 12-17 who are household contacts of an immunosuppressed individual will receive the vaccine. This is to provide indirect protection to that individual.

NHS Scotland aims to vaccinate these children and young people throughout August. Families will be contacted by their local Health Board or by their regular healthcare professional, starting from Monday 2 August.

Monday 26 July sees the launch of the Child Disability Payment, a new benefit replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children in Scotland. The launch will start in three pilot areas – Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and Western Isles.

If you live in one of these areas, you will not be able to make a new claim for DLA on or after 26 July 2021. Instead, if you have a disabled child under 18 who is not already on DLA, you will need to claim Child Disability Payment instead.

Applications for the new benefit can be made by those in the pilot areas either online at mygov.scot, by phoning 0800 182 2222, or face-to-face by booking an appointment on the number just mentioned.   

Once the pilot in these three areas has completed, the new benefit will then be rolled out across the rest of Scotland in Autumn 2021. This national roll out is expected to start on 22 November.

Initially the Child Disability Payment is only replacing new claims for DLA. Children in Scotland who are already getting DLA won’t be transferred onto the new Child Disability Payment until later, a process that is expected to happen in stages.

Once transfers start, families who currently get DLA for a child will have their awards moved over automatically to the new Scottish benefit, with no change in their payment rates or payment dates.

Child Disability Payment is very similar to DLA, with both a care and mobility component paid at the same rates as DLA. Most of the qualifying rules are very similar to DLA.

Find out more about Scottish Child Disability Payment and other benefits in Scotland on our webpage Welfare benefits in Scotland.

From 8.00am on 26 April, the online self-registration system for unpaid carers in Scotland will no longer be available.

Eligible unpaid carers will still be able to register for their coronavirus vaccine after this date. You can do this through the Covid-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

You are eligible for vaccination and should register if all of the following statements apply to you:

If you do not meet the above criteria (for example, you provide only emotional support by phone/video call), you will be asked to wait until NHS Scotland contacts you to let you know it’s your turn to have the vaccine. It is important not to contact NHS Scotland for a vaccination before then.

If you have already registered with the service, received your vaccination or a letter of appointment, there is no further action to take, and no need to call the helpline.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccination programme, visit  www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine

The Scottish Government has confirmed that the Child Disability Payment, a new benefit replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in Scotland, will be launched on the 26 July in three pilot areas. These areas are: Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and Western Isles.

If you live in one of these areas you will not be able to make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance on or after 26 July 2021. Instead, you will need to claim the new Child Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland.

Applications for the new benefit can be made online or by post, phone, or face to face.

Once the pilot in these three areas has completed, the new benefit is then expected to be rolled out across the rest of Scotland in Autumn 2021.

Initially the Child Disability Payment is only replacing new claims for Disability Living Allowance. Children in Scotland who are already getting Disability Living Allowance won’t be transferred onto the new Child Disability Payment until later, a process that is expected to happen in stages.

The Scottish government have now also confirmed that once transfers start, families who currently get DLA for a child will have their awards moved over automatically to the new Scottish benefit, with no change in their payment rates or payment dates.

The new benefit is very similar to DLA, with both a care and mobility component. However, it can be paid until the age of 18 rather than 16.

Find out more about the Scottish Child Payment and other benefits in Scotland on our webpage Welfare benefits in Scotland.