Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
DLA helps with extra costs if your child has a disability or health condition. It is for children under 16 who need more care or supervision than other children, or have trouble getting around. Parents and carers can get DLA for their child whether or not they work.
DLA has two parts:
- Care component – for help with personal care or supervision
- Mobility component – for help getting around (from age 3)
Your child may get one or both parts at different rates, depending on their needs.
You do not need a diagnosis to apply for DLA. Some children receive DLA before they have a diagnosis, while others may never receive a formal diagnosis. The decision is based on the extra care, supervision or mobility support your child needs compared with other children of the same age. What matters is how your child’s condition affects their everyday life and the support they need.
Find out more the GOV.UK – Disability Living Allowance page.
Evidence for your claim
When completing a DLA claim, focus on the extra help your child needs at home and in everyday life. This might include support with:
- personal care
- keeping safe
- communication
- behaviour regulation
- sleep
- eating and drinking
- getting around
School reports can sometimes provide helpful background information. However, DLA is not based on educational support or learning needs. The most important evidence is usually from parents, carers and health professionals (such as letters or reports following appointments) describing the extra care, supervision or mobility support your child needs in daily life.
Help and advice on making a claim
Watch Contact’s short animation with 10 tips for filling in the DLA form for your child.
You can also find benefit information on the Contact for families with disabled children website.
Moving from DLA to PIP
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you when your child is 15 years and 7 months. They will explain what will happen and check whether your child has the mental capacity to deal with their own benefit claims, or whether they will need an appointee to act on their behalf. They will follow this up with a second letter once your child is 15 years and 10 months. Finally, the DWP will contact them shortly after their 16th birthday to invite them to claim PIP.
For young people over 16, see Personal Independent Payment (PIP).