Scottish Child Disability Benefit

[Doneinmamma]

Hi everyone, newbie here 👋

I came across what looks like an old thread on waiting times for the ‘New’ Child Disability Benefit in Scotland which seems to have stopped in July. I just wondered if anyone had applied recently and what the waiting times were?

I know it say 6-8 weeks BUT I also know when a teenager says they will do there room later, that could be later that day or later that year so wondering if I should take the 6-8 weeks with a pinch of salt.

My son is Autistic and was urged to apply for it.

Thank you everyone

Doneinmamma xx

@Doneinmamma thanku you too lovelyxxx

@Doneinmamma hi! sorry to jump on but just wondered if you’ve had any update on if your application is with the case manager yet? I noticed you said you applied in October, I applied for my son beginning of Dec and not yet with case manager as of yesterday! No update on timescale either but going by the wait time of others it’s looking likely I won’t know the outcome until summer (or later 🙈)

Hiya @Mum2thr33 I messaged them again last week after my health visitor told me to chase them again and I was told it was in the case manager queue still and had been since December and all she could tell me was that they have been told by case managers that’s it’s taking around 6 months minimum to complete so I’m thinking I might get a call mid March to say it’s been picked up by a case officer then it will be reviewed then go in another queue to be agreed and signed off taking up to the six months which will take me into April or May.

I submitted a report with my application but if it’s not enough and they need more I know it could be another 2 months wait on top of that for a decision.

The one thing that infuriates me though is when they call and you miss it and they leave a message it’s just to say they have called and for you to call them back on the generic number so either answer it faster than you’ve ever answered a call in your life or let them phone you back because I’ve been on the phone over an hour before for them to only tell me it had moved onto next stage when an email or letter would have sufficed when they couldn’t give me any other information re timescales or anything other than that.

I will still update here so I’ll keep you posted.

Good luck xx

I applied in Nov and not heard a thing. Can I ask how you are getting in touch with them as I've tried phoning and webchat but neither connect after hours of trying! Also, if successful is your payment back dated? (And by how much? Date of initial application?)

Hi @SoulCaptain so yes contacting them is a nightmare I agree. You really do just need to wait it out on phone or web chat. The only contact I had with them was initially because they couldn’t verify my son ‘existed’ even though I get CHB and they have pod my a grant of Scottish Child Payment before so requested I sent his birth certificate. Then once that was done they phoned me back to say it had now been verified and moved into the case manager queue.

In terms of back payment yes it’s from date of application thankfully.

I know when they did an initial feedback on process they said a online tracker would have been really useful but it doesn’t look like this has been taken on board so I suggest if anyone is ever asked for feedback on the process that this is brought up again as it would save calls, waiting on web chat and could give estimated timescales.

Hopefully you won’t be far behind me xx

Sorry to read you are still waiting it seems never ending. Just wanted to mention the most successful I've ever been with webchat is as soon as it strikes 8am hitting the chat button. Never waited longer than 10 mins, hope this helps you all.

Just wondering if you've heard anything yet? We submitted ours 1st September and still waiting. Checked today and its been processed but waiting to be picked up by a case manager. No idea what that means though!

@Doneinmamma Thanks for getting back to me. Can I ask which report you submitted with your application? My little boy has autism (although still on the waiting list for diagnosis). He sees speech & language but no one else. As of end of 2022 HV said they can refer straight to NDAS team for diagnosis instead of referring to Paeds for further assessments. This means he will only get 1, 2 hour assessment with NDAS which will determine the outcome of diagnosis. I have been told to expect a lengthy wait for this though. I didn’t submit evidence with my claim as I was unsure of what to upload so selected the option for them to get in touch with me to help gather evidence. I have put down my HV contact details and also SLT but worrying now that this won’t be enough supporting information.

I managed to get through on the web chat this week - took about 40mins but connected almost immediately at 9am which made me think someone had just started their shift :-D
Our application was submitted in mid-Nov and has not begun to be processed yet. I was told it's currently around a 6month wait, but that someone will call me to update me once it is being looked at.
They also confirmed that, if successful, any payments will be backdated to the initial date of application.
I am 'lucky' in that we have now had 2 formal diagnosis, so I was able to submit both as part of my application (1 at the time when submitting initially and 1 subsequently after it was recently received).
Hope this is useful to know.

Hi everyone so I was hoping to give an update when got my letter but still waiting. My case was picked up by a case officer on Friday 3 February which was 21 weeks and 4 days from submission (Monday 10 October)

I web chatted them on the Wednesday as no one had called for follow up information to be told a letter had been sent out that day 8 February with decision but on web chat couldn’t tell me if successful or not.

On Monday I got a payment into the bank which was a backdated one so all in all 22 weeks on the nose they paid me. I presume this is a 20 week payment but don’t know because it’s been a week and still no letter so I still don’t know rates or dates for next payment and no matter what scenarios I use or weeks I calcyi cannot work how they calculated the payment lol.

@Mum2thr33 in terms of evidence hunni I submitted Archie full Autism diagnosis report as evidence and that was all so that was sufficient for a quick turnaround. With his brother though I have just submitted his application and we know it’s a 2 year wait for a diagnosis so I will be submitting what we have after the two appointments up to the 6 months it takes to get to a case officer but they will need to then go to health professionals for additional info so expect his brothers application to take much longer as the evidence just won’t be as robust.

It’s a long process out of our hands BUT stick in there and keep us all in the loop. I’ll let yous know when the letter comes in and let you know how easy to read it is xxx

@Doneinmamma so pleased you've finally got it in payment hopefully your letter won't take long.

On evidence for your other child, my son was awarded without a diagnosis, I only submitted a letter from GP confirming he was being referred and likely to require medical support for some time and a letter from salt explaining his difficulties and the support we need to provide. So it is very possible to be awarded without much hassle without the diagnosis.

I applied back in November about the same time I applied for the child payments. Heard 0 my son has asd and adhd and is medicated so sent in all of that info but still waiting. A tracking system would be helpful. Would be nice to know too if he’s getting it. I also get child tax credits do I let them know? Is that back dated also? It’s all a bit confusing and so so slow!! No communication whatsoever doesn’t help.

@Shopper727 once you’ve received an award, let tax credits know. That should be backdated too. I submitted my sons claim mid December. It went in queue on 22nd December for case manager. Case manager picked it up 3 weeks ago. Last update was they are awaiting a response from school. I expected this as school where in dated with request when I asked for supporting documentation to send with claim. So I asked on the form for them to contact the school for further details. If your looking for an update I find going on to webchat bang on 8am is best.

Hi everyone grateful for the recent messages in this thread as a reminder I was to update when o got my letter (finally). So we got higher rate in care and no mobility. My health visitor said we should appeal as we have a blue badge application under review via risk and traffic circumstances.

I was in a real quandary with this one as we have 56 days to appeal and they were not confident a decision would be made by then. Also, if I asked for an appeal while the application was outstanding I could run the risk of them lowering the care rate and still not give Archie mobility so I think the safest bet would be to wait the outcome of his risk and traffic and then report a change of circumstances and see if this changes his mobility component?

With Robert, still nothing but have uploaded additional evidence from his first appointment with the complex nurse’s appointment where they are putting him forward for full assessment aswell as sleep, Incredible years, we’re already waiting on Sphere and given information for OT for padding in house.

FYI re adult referrals if you are lucky enough to be accepted they send you a next step letter which include pre-assessment letters to complete and once they are done they review ALL clinical history and if satisfied and you qualify for a face to face within Glasgow and Clyde it could take up to 20 MONTHS to be seen 😔 (Added step process for info) I only put this in this thread as I have been attending ‘Understanding Autism for Parents’ within my LA and there’s a strong link to genetics 🧬 I have suspected myself as ASD since Archie and been accepted by Mental Health Team to Pre Assessment stage with the amazing support of my doctor.

Hope everyone is still not losing hope and hanging in there and all the wee ones are doing well and also if it’s school time hope they all got what you wanted and are happy with. On a side note, we got main stream with support which were so happy about but that’s only because our primary is really small so they have the capacity to do that this year so we were very lucky 🍀

@Doneinmamma yes I would report the change in circumstances once it comes through rather than the appeal. That way you’re not risking the reduction of the care rate you’ve been awarded. Fingers crossed for you! Also that is amazing that you are now being referred for your own assessment! How brave that you’ve taken these steps! I’ve also suspected ASD for myself since beginning the journey with my son. Did you raise concerns with your gp? I have been wondering about diagnosis for myself but not sure if there’s any point at this age or whether the gp will take me seriously!

Just an update to anyone who is still waiting regarding the child disability payment. I heard from Social Security yesterday (I applied in January) regarding a box I had accidentally checked on my son’s application. I was told it would now be passed on to a case manager BUT it could be several months before it’s picked up. They would then review the supporting information but if more is needed it could be a further few months before a decision is made. The wait time seems to be getting lengthier unfortunately!

I did go to my GP and she asked me to submit a statement (A4 one pager) as to why I should be considered for an assessment along with her letter. I know what you mean though re what difference would it make at this late stage in life but just want clarity if that makes sense.

Update on Archie, he’s been awarded a buggy for his mobility so I am going to put in a change of circumstances for this as a starter for 10 because his Blue Badge Risk and Traffic are taking 5 months to review in my LA just now so I’ll keep you posted. His buggy comes tomorrow.

Yes definitely! If anything it gives you a better understanding of yourself too. Oh that’s brilliant news, please keep us posted with how you get on with the change of circumstances. Hopefully it’ll be a quick turnaround for you

thank you for your previous message @Doneinmamma hope it doesn’t take too long for your change in circs I had a call a few weeks ago about what nights are like with my son then I had to send proof of my new address (she said a decision been made) has and I got a text today saying they have proof of new address so just waiting on a letter. I’ve been exhausted all week as he’s been unsettled due to worrying about high school transition days etc so up in the night not getting up in the mornings and fights about going to school at all.
we applied 21 November just for timescales for anyone else as I know it’s frustrating not knowing how long it’s taking.

Hey everyone so I applied 8 weeks ago called today and was told it hasn’t been picked up yet so could be a lengthy wait still. I will keep yous updated x

Hi all, I'm one of the trainers for these benefits and the only advice I can give you is put in every single bit of supporting information that you have. Letters from family describing difficulties, get your GP to write a letter for you and upload it, some Gp's aren't responding for weeks on end even with follow up requests. Prescription lists, letters from ANY health professional you may come into contact with, the more you have initially the quicker it gets to a case manager and the quicker they can make a decision. Wish you all luck and if anyone had any questions (bar time scales, I'm not privy to that) please just let me know

Hi @BluebellsareBlue! when you say any letters we come into contact with could these include any referral letters? I uploaded acceptance of referral to neurodevelopmental assessment service for ASD diagnosis & SALT report but also have a referral to Paediatrics for possible silent seizures, Occupational therapy, Sleep Scotland & Childsmile-(for toothbrushing sensory issues) 3 of these appointments except the OT are happening next week so would it be better to see if there’s a letter with the outcome or just upload referral letters/emails too?

@Mum2thr33 upload EVERYTHING. The letters for appointments, then the results. The more the better. The lack of supporting info is a HUGE factor in the timescales and you know you've done your bit of you supply everything. Xx I hope you get sorted soon x

Remember you don't need a formal diagnosis to score. So if you wrote in the application sensory difficulties and it causes xyz.... your supporting info is the referral at the moment. If there's a diagnosis later on then get that added to the file too.

Perfect thank you so much! I uploaded everything I had this morning then went onto the live chat & they attached it to the application straight away. Fingers crossed that bumps it on a bit.

Brilliant!!!!! X