Disability Living Allowance for children: rates and how to claim
DLA for children helps with the extra costs of caring for a child under 16 who needs substantially more care than a child of the same age or has serious walking difficulties. It is tax-free and is not means-tested.
Key facts before you decide
- The child must be under 16 and need substantially more care or supervision, or have qualifying mobility difficulties.
- The combined weekly rate can range from £30.30 to £194.60 in 2026–27.
- DLA has separate care and mobility components, each with its own tests and rates.
- Claims are not normally backdated, so the date the form is requested or received matters.
Eligibility rules, rates and dates can change. Confirm your circumstances through the official links before submitting documents.
What DLA for children covers
Disability Living Allowance for children is a tax-free benefit intended to help with extra disability-related costs. The child must be under 16 and either have difficulty walking or need much more looking after than a child of the same age without a disability. A diagnosis alone does not determine entitlement; the decision focuses on the help, supervision and mobility needs.
The benefit is available in England and Wales. Scotland uses Child Disability Payment for new claims, while Northern Ireland has a separate DLA process. Use the service for the nation where the child lives.
Care component rates
The care component has three weekly rates for 2026–27: £30.30 at the lowest rate, £76.70 at the middle rate and £114.60 at the highest rate. The correct rate depends on the frequency and timing of care or supervision, including whether help is needed during the day, at night or both.
Describe the child’s needs compared with another child of the same age. Routine parenting tasks do not qualify simply because they take time; the form should explain the additional attention, prompting, physical help or monitoring required.
Mobility component rates
The mobility component has a lower weekly rate of £30.30 and a higher rate of £80. The lower rate generally relates to guidance or supervision outdoors, while the higher rate applies to severe walking difficulties or other specified conditions. Age restrictions differ between the two rates.
Provide evidence about distance, speed, pain, safety, orientation and the support needed outdoors. Do not rely only on a medical label; practical examples help the decision maker understand the limitation.
How to start a claim
A parent or someone who looks after the child can request and complete the DLA claim form. You can print the form or call the DLA helpline to ask for a dated pack. The benefit is not normally backdated. If a telephone-requested form is returned within the stated six-week period, the start date can be the date of the call; otherwise it is generally the date the completed form is received.
Keep a copy of the completed form and evidence. The department sends an acknowledgement and later a decision letter.
Evidence that can help
- Medical reports, clinic letters and care plans.
- School or nursery reports describing additional support.
- A diary of care, supervision, disturbed nights or mobility difficulties.
- Medication lists and therapy schedules.
- Statements from professionals who know the child’s day-to-day needs.
Evidence should support the functional description rather than replace it. Explain good and bad days, how often problems occur and what would happen without help.
How long an award lasts and what changes to report
Awards can be made for a fixed period or for longer, depending on the child’s circumstances. The decision letter states the component, rate and review date. Report changes that could affect entitlement, including a significant improvement, hospital stays, a move abroad or a change of address.
When a young person approaches 16, the department may invite a claim for Personal Independence Payment. The transition has deadlines, so do not ignore the letter even if the DLA award has time remaining.
Effect on other support
DLA is not means-tested and is tax-free. An award can increase entitlement to other support, including parts of Universal Credit or Carer’s Allowance, but each program has separate conditions. Check the effective date before asking another agency to recalculate an award.
The child’s DLA is paid for their needs. It does not automatically mean that a parent qualifies as a carer, because Carer’s Allowance also tests the care hours, component and earnings.
Common mistakes
- Writing only the diagnosis without explaining daily care and mobility needs.
- Comparing the child with an adult rather than a child of the same age.
- Sending the form late and losing the protected start date.
- Leaving sections blank instead of explaining that a question is not applicable.
- Failing to keep a copy of the form and evidence.
If the claim is refused or the rate appears wrong, the decision letter explains how to request a mandatory reconsideration and the deadline.
This guide was checked against pages published by the responsible agency. Use these links to confirm the application route and any later updates.
Read the official DLA for children overviewCheck current DLA rates
Get the claim instructions