DLA for Children: Rates, Eligibility and How to Claim
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is the main disability benefit for a child under 16 who needs much more looking after than other children their age, or who has difficulty getting around. It is not means-tested, it is tax-free, and getting it can increase your Universal Credit and open the door to Carer's Allowance. Many families don't claim because they assume a diagnosis is required or that they earn too much, neither is true. This guide covers the 2026/27 rates, who qualifies, how to claim in each UK nation, and what happens when your child turns 16.
- ✓DLA for children is for under-16s in England and Wales, Scotland uses Child Disability Payment and Northern Ireland has its own DLA.
- ✓2026/27 rates: care component £30.30, £76.70 or £114.60 a week, mobility component £30.30 or £80.00.
- ✓It is not means-tested and not taxable, your income and savings are irrelevant.
- ✓The child must have had the difficulties for 3 months and be expected to have them for 6 more.
- ✓DLA can add a disabled child element to your Universal Credit and qualify you for Carer's Allowance.
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Who can get DLA for a child
A child under 16 qualifies if they have a physical or mental health condition or disability and they either need much more looking after than a child of the same age without a disability, or have difficulty getting around. The decision is based on needs, not diagnosis:
- ✓The extra help can be care (washing, dressing, eating, medication, communication), supervision to keep them safe, or help getting around
- ✓The child must normally have had these difficulties for at least 3 months and be expected to have them for at least 6 more (this qualifying period is waived for children nearing the end of life)
- ✓There are residence rules: the child must normally live in Great Britain and be here when you claim
- ✓ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, epilepsy, diabetes and mental health conditions can all qualify, what matters is the extra care or supervision the child needs
DLA rates 2026/27
DLA has two components and your child may get one or both. These are the weekly rates from April 2026:
| Component | Rate | Weekly amount | Broadly for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care | Lowest | £30.30 | Help for part of the day |
| Care | Middle | £76.70 | Frequent help or supervision through the day, or help at night |
| Care | Highest | £114.60 | Help or supervision through both day and night, or nearing end of life |
| Mobility | Lower | £30.30 | Can walk but needs guidance or supervision outdoors (age 5+) |
| Mobility | Higher | £80.00 | Cannot walk, or walking is very limited or dangerous (age 3+) |
The maximum is £194.60 a week (highest care plus higher mobility). DLA is usually paid every four weeks, is tax-free, and does not count as income for any other benefit. Note the age rules on mobility: the lower rate can only be paid from age 5, the higher rate from age 3.
How to claim, step by step
In England and Wales you claim by form, and how you get the form affects your start date:
- ✓Call the DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm; Relay UK 18001 then 0800 121 4600) and ask for a claim form, if you return it within 6 weeks, the claim starts from the date of your call
- ✓Or print and post the DLA1A Child form from GOV.UK, the claim then starts when the DWP receives it
- ✓Claims cannot be backdated, so start the claim as soon as you think your child may qualify
- ✓Describe your child's needs on their worst days and how they compare to other children the same age, and use a diary if their needs go up and down
- ✓Include copies of anything that shows the extra help needed: paediatrician or CAMHS letters, EHCP or school support plans, therapy reports
What DLA unlocks for your family
A DLA award often increases other support substantially:
- ✓Universal Credit disabled child element: an extra amount in your UC for each child on DLA, with a higher amount if your child gets the highest care rate
- ✓Carer's Allowance: if your child gets the middle or highest care rate and you care for them 35+ hours a week (earnings limit applies)
- ✓A Blue Badge, and vehicle tax exemption or reduction where the child gets the higher mobility rate
- ✓The Motability scheme, if the child gets the higher mobility rate with enough time left on the award
- ✓Disabled facilities grants, leisure discounts and other local support often use a DLA award as their evidence
Renewals, and what happens at 16
DLA awards for children are usually fixed-term, the DWP writes to you before an award ends so you can renew it, describe your child's current needs in full each time rather than assuming it rolls over. The bigger change comes at 16:
- ✓Shortly after their 16th birthday, your child gets a letter inviting them to claim PIP (England and Wales)
- ✓DLA payments stop unless they apply for PIP by the date given in the letter, applying on time keeps DLA in payment until the PIP claim is decided
- ✓PIP works differently, it is assessed on a points system rather than 'extra care needs', so the move is worth preparing for
- ✓In Scotland, Child Disability Payment simply continues to 18, with an application for Adult Disability Payment possible from 13 weeks before their 16th birthday
Our guide to moving from DLA to PIP covers the transition in detail, including the deadlines and how the PIP assessment differs.
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
How much is DLA for a child in 2026?
The 2026/27 weekly rates are: care component £30.30 (lowest), £76.70 (middle) or £114.60 (highest), and mobility component £30.30 (lower) or £80.00 (higher). A child can get one or both components, up to £194.60 a week in total. DLA is tax-free, paid every four weeks, and not affected by your income or savings.
Does my child need a diagnosis to get DLA?
No. DLA is awarded for the extra care, supervision or mobility help your child needs compared with other children their age, not for a diagnosis. A diagnosis and supporting reports strengthen the claim, but children waiting on assessment lists (for example for autism or ADHD) can and do qualify based on their needs.
How do I claim DLA for my child?
In England and Wales, call 0800 121 4600 and ask for a claim form, returning it within 6 weeks backdates the claim to your call, or print the DLA1A Child form from GOV.UK. In Scotland apply for Child Disability Payment through Social Security Scotland instead. In Northern Ireland claim through the Department for Communities on 0800 587 0912.
Is DLA means-tested?
No. Your income, savings and work make no difference to a child's DLA. It is also tax-free and doesn't count as income for Universal Credit or other benefits, in fact a DLA award usually increases your UC through the disabled child element and can qualify a parent for Carer's Allowance.
What happens to DLA when my child turns 16?
In England and Wales they'll be invited to claim PIP shortly after their 16th birthday. Their DLA stops unless they apply for PIP by the date in the letter, applying on time keeps DLA in payment until the PIP decision is made. In Scotland, Child Disability Payment continues to age 18, with Adult Disability Payment to apply for from 16.
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