Child Disability Payments are being trialled across the Western Isles.

The new Child Disability Payment opens in pilot areas for applications from July 26.

Regulations passed mean that families of children with a disability or long-term health condition living in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles council areas who need financial support should apply to the new Scottish system from this date.

This is the first application-based disability benefit to be introduced by the Scottish Government. The pilot will be followed by a full national roll-out in the autumn.

Managed by Social Security Scotland, Child Disability Payment will replace Disability Living Allowance for Children, which is currently delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

This latest support is being introduced for families applying for disability assistance for the first time. The three area pilot provides a further chance to get people’s feedback to ensure it meets the needs of disabled children and their families before expanding the service nationally

Families currently getting Disability Living Allowance for Children do not have to take any action. Starting later this year, their benefit will be transferred automatically to the new Scottish system. Their payments will not change and will be paid at the same rates and at the same time as their Disability Living Allowance was.

Child Disability Payment is the second form of disability assistance to be delivered under the new Scottish social security system following last year’s introduction of Child Winter Heating Assistance