SCOTLAND’S Child Disability Payment will open for new applications across the country in November.

The roll-out follows a successful pilot launched in July across Dundee City, Perth & Kinross and the Western Isles council areas.

This is the first of the complex disability benefits to be introduced nationwide by the Scottish Government and replaces the UK Government’s Disability Living Allowance for children.

The payment provides financial assistance to help meet the additional costs associated with having a disability.

Families of children and young people with a disability or terminal illness can apply to the new benefit administered by Social Security Scotland.

Those already receiving Disability Living Allowance for children do not need to make a new application as we will contact them ahead of their award being automatically transferred. This will happen in a phased approach from mid-October.