Natalie Don MSP is encouraging families of children and young people with a disability or terminal illness in Renfrewshire to apply for the Scottish Government’s new Scotland’s Child Disability Payment which becomes available from Monday (22 November 2021).

The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West welcomes the fact that it is the first disability benefit in the UK which can be applied for online, with local families also having the options to apply by post, phone, or face-to-face (COVID-19 restrictions permitting) as part of Social Security Scotland’s commitment to inclusive communications.

The new benefit replaces the UK Government’s Disability Living Allowance for children. Families already receiving DLA for children do not need to make a new application as Social Security Scotland will contact them ahead of their award being automatically transferred.

Natalie Don MSP said: “I welcome the launch of the Scottish Government’s new Child Disability Payment and encourage eligible families across Renfrewshire to apply for this financial assistance which will help towards meeting the additional expenses such as extra care and mobility costs, associated with children who have a disability.

“Families with disabled children were directly involved in developing the application process so I’m delighted that applicants will experience a simplified, person-centred system and that it is the first disability benefit in the UK which can be applied for online.”

For more information about the Child Disability Payment, go to www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment or call telephone: 0800 182 2222.