Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is extra money to help with the costs of caring for a child with a disability or long-term health condition. It is for children under 16. Usually a parent or carer claims for them.

Who can get DLA?

A child may be able to get DLA if:

• they are under 16
• they need much more care, supervision or help getting around than other children of the same age without a disability
• they have had these needs for at least 3 months and they are likely to last at least 6 more months (unless they are terminally ill)
• they live in England or Wales

It does not matter what your income or savings are.

The two parts of DLA

The care part

For children who need extra help with personal care, or extra supervision to stay safe. It has three rates:

• Lowest rate: help for some of the day
• Middle rate: frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or help or supervision at night
• Highest rate: help or supervision both day and night, or if your child is terminally ill

The care part can usually be paid from 3 months old.

The mobility part

For children who have trouble getting around. It has two rates:

• Higher rate (from age 3): for children who cannot walk, can hardly walk, are severely sight impaired, or have certain other serious needs
• Lower rate (from age 5): for children who can walk but need someone with them outdoors, much more than other children their age

What DLA can lead to

• Carer's Allowance for you, if you care for your child for 35 hours a week or more and your child gets the middle or highest care rate
• extra money in Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits
• a Blue Badge, if your child gets the higher mobility rate
• the Motability Scheme, if your child gets the higher mobility rate
• grants from charities like the Family Fund

How to claim

Claims are made using a paper form. See how to claim DLA for a child.