Disability Living Allowance DLA for Children
Disability Living Allowance, DLA, can now only be claimed on behalf of children under the age of 16
Following the suspension of reviews and reassessments during the coronavirus lockdown, the government has announced that face-to-face assessments for benefits “remain suspended, but kept under review”.
A statement from the DWP says that “review and reassessment activity” on PIP and DLA is resuming, starting with claims that were already underway when work was suspended.
People can make new claims, and it is still essential to contact the DWP if you have a change of circumstances.
Where an assessment has already taken place, the decision making process will continue.
If an assessment has been scheduled, the assessment provider should contact you to explain whether a paper or telephone assessment will take place.
The adult equivalent is Personal Independence Payment, PIP.
Rules about DLA and hospital stays
• The rule whereby payment of DLA for children was suspended if they were in hospital for 28 days or more if aged over 16, or 84 days under 16, has been removed.
• DLA will continue to be paid as usual during any stay in hospital.
• You can make a new claim for DLA for children while they are in hospital, and it will be paid as soon as it is processed, rather than being delayed until they are discharged.
• If your child turns 16 while they are in hospital, they will normally have their DLA payments extended, rather than being transferred onto PIP.
What is DLA for children?
You can claim DLA for children with a severe physical or mental illness or disability if they need much more help or looking after than other children of the same age because of their illness or disability.
When can you claim?
• Although you can claim sooner, DLA will only be paid once your child is aged 3 months or over, for care needs.
You can claim for mobility needs from:
• age three, if your child is unable, or virtually unable, to walk
• age three, if your child would be at risk if they attempted to walk.
Notes
You can claim DLA before your child is aged 3 months, but DLA will not be paid before they reach the age of 3 months unless they are terminally ill.
How much is it?
Weekly amounts from April 2026:
Paid because your child needs looking after (care component)
Higher rate – £114.60
Middle rate – £76.70
Lower rate – £30.30
Paid to help your child get around (mobility component)
Higher rate – £80
Lower rate – £30.30
These amounts should be treated as a guide. The rules for benefits mean that your individual circumstances may affect the amount you can get, so you can’t always work out exactly how much you will get.
If you are providing care for at least 35 hours a week, you may also be eligible to claim Carers Allowance
If you receive DLA for your child, you may also be eligible for extra Child Tax Credit
How to claim DLA for children
Claim straight away. If you delay you may lose benefit.
You can download a claim form to complete on-line here. You will need to give proof of identity, and your child may be assessed to establish their mobility and care needs.
If you want a printed form sent to you, you can order it from the DLA helpline:
Telephone: 0800 121 4600
Textphone: 0800 121 4523
Appealing a decision
If you feel that your child has been wrongly turned down for DLA, you can appeal against the decision.
The first step is to write to the Department which gave you the decision, and ask for a “Mandatory Reconsideration”. You should do this within one month.
Once you have the reconsideration, you can appeal to the Tribunal, if you are still not satisfied. Form SSCS1 is the one you need – you can download it here. Again, you should make your appeal within a month of the mandatory reconsideration.