What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?

DLA is a disability based benefit for children between the ages of 0-16 who experience ‘higher care or mobility needs than a child of a similar age’. This is a non-means tested benefit which is assessed on the basis of how disabled a child is. 

The mobility rate of DLA is only payable to children who have reached the age of 3 for the high rate and 5 for the low rate as below.

What are the qualifying criteria?

The child would need to have been experiencing the difficulties for 3 months before the date of the claim. The child would need to ‘require frequent attention and supervision in connection with their bodily functions or needs for a prolonged period of time’. 

Frequent attention could mean significant time prompting, encouraging and reminding to complete an activity.

Supervision could mean watching over a child to ensure that the child is able to complete the activity safely. 

Prolonged period of time could mean if this activity takes up to half the time it would take for a non-disabled child to complete the activity.

How much is DLA? 

There are two components to DLA: 

1) Care  

Low rate – £29.20 (if a child requires frequent attention during the day)

Middle rate – £73.90 (if a child requires prolonged attention and supervision during the day or at night)

High rate – £110.40 (if a child requires prolonged attention and supervision during the day and night)

2) Mobility  

Low rate – £29.20 (if a child requires supervision and guidance to walk)

High rate – £77.05 (if a child is virtually unable to walk)

How to Make a Claim?  

You will need to request a claim form which you can access here https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children or contact DLA on 0800 121 4600.  

How to Complete the Claim? 

When looking through the claim form, you should consider any difficulties that you have with any of the activities so things like high levels of fatigue, pain which means that it takes you a long time to complete the specific activity this can be considered when determining your entitlement.

It may be useful to complete the form with a family-members/friends who is able to comment on the difficulties that you experience.

It is also useful to include any evidence with the claim, namely any medical evidence or statements from family members or friends.

Activities that DLA Considers

DLA considers the following activities as part of the claim : 

• Difficulties with mobilising  
• Any supervision that you need to keep you safe whilst mobilising  
• Washing 
• Eating and drinking  
• Getting dressed  
• Getting out of bed  
• Mixing with other people  
• Toilet needs 

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What effect does an DLA claim have on my existing benefits?

If you are claiming DLA and are in receipt of means tested benefits, this can create an entitlement to means tested benefits such as; Universal Credit and can make a significant difference to your finances. If you wish to discuss this, please do discuss this with us.

If the high rate of mobility is awarded, this creates an automatic entitlement to a blue badge and reduction in road tax.

If a claim for DLA is successful and one is providing 35 hours a week of care subject to the rules on Carers Allowance, this can create entitlement. Please refer to the Carer Allowance factsheet.

CURRENT DLA CLAIMANTS

PIP has now replaced DLA for those over the age of 16 and below pension age. Some people of working age are still receiving DLA and will be contacted to make a claim for PIP at some point and it is very important that a claim is made within the timeframe stated to avoid losing any money. 

If someone of working age wishes to report a change of circumstances to DLA, this will trigger a claim to PIP and advise should be sought before this.

If someone of Pension age wishes to report a change of circumstances to DLA this can be considered accordingly provided that the regular rules apply. One does have to be in receipt of the mobility component before reaching pension age for entitlement to continue.

If you are unhappy with the decision

The DWP will consider the information and the claim and will write out with a decision. If you disagree with the outcome, you are able to ask for a mandatory reconsideration which is the first stage of challenging a decision.

Please refer to the challenging decisions factsheet. 

*In Scotland parts of the Social Security system have been devolved to Social Security Scotland. Claims for Disability Living Allowance have been replaced by Child Disability Payment (0-16). Although devolved, they are assessed in the same way. Claims can be started by contacting Social Security Scotland on the following numbers

Child Disability Payment – 0800 182 2222 or online at https://www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment/how-to-apply 

This advice is provided by our Benefits Advisor, Robert Mandelstam. The information provided above is up to date for the financial year ending 5th April 2026.

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