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. What matters is showing the level of care your child needs.
Find out more the GOV.UK – Disability Living Allowance page.
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).
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.