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    How to claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for a child

    Last checked: October 2026

    Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is a benefit for children under 16 who have care needs, mobility needs, or both. It is not means-tested, so family income and savings do not affect it. This guide explains who can claim, how the two parts work, and how to prepare a claim that describes your child's needs clearly.

    This guide is for children living in England and Wales. Scotland has Child Disability Payment instead, and Northern Ireland has its own DLA service.

    Who can get DLA for a child?

    You can usually claim if your child:

    • is under 16
    • lives in England or Wales when you claim
    • has a disability or health condition that means they need much more looking after than a child of the same age without one, or have walking difficulties
    • has had these difficulties for at least 3 months, and is expected to have them for at least another 6 months

    You do not need a diagnosis to claim, and you can claim whether or not you work.

    The two parts of DLA

    Care component. For children who need extra help with personal care, supervision or watching over because of their condition. It is paid at three rates (lowest, middle and highest) depending on how much help your child needs, including at night. The lowest rate is for help with some of the day.

    Mobility component. For children who have difficulty walking or getting around. It has two rates. The higher rate can be paid from age 3 and the lower rate from age 5. A child can get the care component, the mobility component or both.

    The key question is how your child's needs compare with those of a child of the same age without a disability. Most young children need help with dressing, washing and supervision, so the claim is about the extra help your child needs.

    How to claim

    1. Request or download the form. You can call the DLA helpline or download the claim form from GOV.UK. Check GOV.UK for the current phone number and opening hours.
    2. Gather your information. You will need your child's details, their health professionals, and your own details.
    3. Describe a typical day and night. Write about the difficulties your child has and the help they need, with specific examples.
    4. Add supporting evidence. Letters or reports from the GP, hospital, school, nursery, an educational psychologist or other professionals can all help. Send copies.
    5. Send it back on time. If you start by phone, the date of your call is protected as your claim date, provided you return the form within 6 weeks. Otherwise it generally starts from the date the DWP receives your form.

    Tips for describing your child's needs

    • Think day and night. Many families forget to include night-time help such as getting up to settle, check on or reassure their child.
    • Describe the extra help, not just the condition. Say what you do, how often, and for how long.
    • Compare with other children of the same age. The decision maker needs to see why your child needs substantially more looking after.
    • Include the difficult days. Explain how things change from day to day.
    • Be specific. "He needs a lot of help" is weaker than "He cannot be left alone in the bathroom because he has no sense of danger, so I stay with him every time."

    What happens next

    The DWP may contact your child's health professionals or school. You will receive a decision letter explaining what has been awarded and why. If you disagree, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within 1 month of the date on the letter, and you may then be able to appeal to a tribunal.

    A stay in hospital can affect DLA, so you must report it. You must also report other changes, such as a change in your child's needs or a house move. Check GOV.UK for the current rules on how long payments continue during a hospital stay.

    When your child turns 16

    DLA for children stops when your child turns 16. The DWP normally writes to invite your child to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. If they apply by the date in the letter, DLA can continue until the PIP decision is made. Read the letter carefully and act on it as soon as you can.

    Official sources

    Frequently asked questions

    Related guides

    Want help preparing the claim?

    The ShielaDGT Child DLA Claim Guide is a 19-page fillable PDF with day and night worksheets, a mobility planner, an evidence tracker, and guidance on the decision, reconsideration and appeals.

    This article is general information only, not legal or benefits advice, and it cannot promise any outcome. Rules change, so check GOV.UK for the latest. ShielaDGT is independent and not affiliated with the Department for Work and Pensions.