What a person with PMLD, and the people who care for them, may be able to claim in Scotland. Every situation is different, so use this as a checklist of things to ask about.
Children under 18
Child Disability Payment for the extra costs of a disabled child, with a care part and a mobility part. It can be paid until the young person turns 18.
Child Winter Heating Payment comes with the highest rate of the care part.
From 16: claiming in their own right
Adult Disability Payment replaces Child Disability Payment. The young person can move over from 16. When they apply while still getting Child Disability Payment, the two are linked so there is no gap in payments.
Universal Credit can be claimed from 16 by a young person with a health condition or disability who has medical evidence, such as a fit note. It is paid to them in their own right.
Someone to manage their benefits. If the young person cannot manage their own claims, a parent or carer can be appointed to act for them. If you hold guardianship with financial powers, tell the benefits office.
Terminal illness
If a doctor or nurse involved in the person's care judges that they have a progressive illness that can reasonably be expected to cause their death, special rules apply:
They get the highest rate of both parts of Adult Disability Payment, however long they have been ill, without a points assessment.
The doctor or nurse fills in a form, often called a BASRiS, and sends it in. You do not need to ask for a prognosis in months.
If the young person already gets Child Disability Payment under these rules, Adult Disability Payment can be decided without a new application, from 16 if you ask, or automatically at 18.
A car or accessible vehicle
With the higher mobility rate, you can lease a car or a wheelchair accessible vehicle through the Motability scheme, paid for from the mobility part.
Ask Motability about the adaptations the person needs, such as a ramp, lift or wheelchair restraints.
A person appointed to manage the young person's benefits can sign the vehicle agreement for them.
Carers
Unpaid carers may be able to claim a carer benefit, and can ask the council for their own carer support plan.
Our benefits adviser
Coming soon
We are planning to employ a benefits adviser to help families check what they can claim and help with applications. Until then, email hello@judesjustice.org.uk and we will point you in the right direction.
Payment amounts change every April, so we have not listed them here. Checked against the regulations on legislation.gov.uk on 29 September 2026.