Disability Living Allowance
Claiming extra support like DLA can be difficult for multiple reasons. Not only is the application a bit lengthy, it can be hard to come to terms with the fact that your child is in need of this support.
If your child has a disability the likelihood is your family will have all sorts of extra expenses, such as higher heating bills, specific food requirements, sensory dietary needs, taxi fares, higher child care costs, extra laundry etc.
DLA can help meet these additional expenses.
You can spend DLA on anything you wish, and in some cases DLA is required just to keep families above the poverty line.
DLA is not means tested which means your income, savings and those of the child are irrelevant.
DLA does not have a negative effect on other benefits you may be claiming . However, you should be aware that making a claim for DLA for a child can be a long process and emotionally exhausting.
How DLA Works
DLA is one benefit, but with two components – the care component and the mobility component.
The claim form covers both, so you only need to complete one form. The care component can be paid at one of three rates – lower, middle and higher, whilst the mobility component only has a lower and higher rate.
The weekly rates from April 2024 to March 2025 are below, however, these can change yearly due to the cost of living, so please check the .Gov website for up to date numbers.
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Care (lower rate) - £28.70
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Care (middle rate) - £72.65
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Care (higher rate) - £108.55
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Mobility (lower rate) - £28.70
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Mobility (higher rate) - £75.75
It is possible to be awarded any combination of the two components.
For example one child may be awarded lower rate mobility and higher rate care, another higher rate mobility and middle rate care, and a third child could get lower rate care only depending on their needs and circumstances.
The mobility component, however, is not payable until the age of 3 years old, for the higher rate, and 5 years old for the lower rate. However, if your child is below these ages and has mobility problems then you should complete these pages anyway to give the fullest possible picture of their difficulties.
Eligibility
To claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for your child, they must have a long-term condition needing significantly more care than other children their age. They must have had these needs for at least 3 months and expect them to continue for 6 more. Children 3 months or older are eligible. The amount of extra care they need daily determines the DLA payment level.
Does my child need to have a diagnosis?
Your child does not have to have a diagnosis of a recognised condition or disability in order for you to claim DLA. Increasingly some children are waiting a long time for diagnosis and this should not preclude them from getting DLA. However, they do have to be experiencing the same sort of difficulties as a child with a diagnosis, and you need to be able to demonstrate that they need substantially more guidance, attention and supervision than a typically developing child of their age.
What if someone has said you are not entitled?
If you have claimed DLA for your child before and been turned down, there is nothing to stop you from trying to claim again.
Equally it does not matter if you have been ‘advised’ that you cannot claim by for instance. Only a professional welfare rights adviser should make that judgement.
Importantly, as we have already said DLA is not a means-tested benefit. This means that it does not matter what you or your family’s income, benefits, or savings are, It is assessed only on the needs of the child.
How to Apply
Top Tips for Claiming DLA
​Filling out DLA forms can be a daunting task, it is lengthy and can be emotionally draining. Set yourself some time over a week or so to go through all of the information. Here are some top tips to guide you through the process:
Gather Evidence:
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Medical Reports: Collect reports from your child's doctors and therapists detailing their diagnoses, treatments, and limitations.
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School Reports: If applicable, obtain reports from your child's school outlining their academic progress, any support they receive, and any challenges they face due to their disability.
Provide Specific Examples:
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Avoid Generalisations: Instead of saying "My child has difficulty dressing," provide specific examples like "My child needs help buttoning their shirt because they struggle with fine motor skills."
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Quantify Needs: Use numbers and measurements to describe your child's care needs. For example, "My child needs help with toileting 3-4 times a day" or "My child requires assistance walking more than 50 meters."
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Explain the Impact: Clearly explain how your child's disability affects their daily life, including their ability to play, learn, socialise, and participate in family activities.
Be Patient and Persistent:
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The Process Takes Time: The DLA application process can be lengthy. Be patient and allow time for processing.
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Don't Give Up: If your initial claim is unsuccessful, don't give up. You have the right to request a mandatory reconsideration or appeal the decision.
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Focus on Functional Limitations:
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Highlight Challenges: Emphasise the challenges your child faces due to their disability, rather than just listing their diagnoses.
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Explain How Care is Different: Clearly explain how caring for your child differs from caring for a child without disabilities.
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Use the "Explain How" Boxes: Utilise the "Explain How" boxes on the form to provide detailed explanations and examples of your child's difficulties.
Be Clear and Concise:
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Use Plain Language: Avoid medical jargon or technical terms that may be difficult for assessors to understand.
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Stay Focused: Stick to the relevant information and avoid unnecessary details.
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Don't Underestimate Needs: Don't downplay your child's needs or feel embarrassed to ask for support.
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Proofread Carefully: Ensure your form is free of errors and easy to read. Ask a friend or family member to check over the information also, they may spot things you may miss.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – for children over 16
Please note the below information is being reviewed due to new announcements around PIP.
When your child turns 16, they will no longer be eligible for DLA. Instead, they should apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
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You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if all of the following apply to you:
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you’re 16 or over
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you have a long-term physical, mental health condition or disability
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you expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months
How PIP is assessed
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Claim Process: You need to make a claim to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
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Assessment: You'll be assessed to determine how your condition affects your daily living and mobility needs. This may involve a face-to-face assessment, a telephone assessment, or a review of your medical evidence.
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Points System: You're awarded points based on your ability to carry out certain activities. The more points you score, the higher the rate of PIP you'll receive.
Current Rates of PIP
Daily Living Component:
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Standard Rate: For those who need some help with daily living activities.
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Enhanced Rate: For those who need a lot of help with daily living activities.
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Mobility Component:
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Standard Rate: For those who need some help with getting around.
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Enhanced Rate: For those who need a lot of help with getting around or cannot walk.
How to apply
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You can find even more about looking after yourself, talking to family and friends, and organising all of you and your children's appointments, letters and more in our 200 page FREE Navigating SEND Guide!
