DWP - Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

• is under 16
• has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements.

The DLA rate is between £28.70 and £184.30 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs.

Extra Help:

You might qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a child who gets the middle or highest care rate of DLA.

Eligibility:

Usually, to qualify for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children the child must:

• be under 16 - anyone over 16 must apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• need extra looking after or have walking difficulties
• be in England, Wales, a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland when you claim - there are some exceptions, such as family members of the Armed Forces
• have lived in Great Britain for at least 6 of the last 12 months, if over 3 years old
• be resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. If you’re claiming DLA for your child, the length of time they need to have lived in Great Britain depends on their age. 
• not be subject to immigration control

You can claim DLA for children if you’re in or out of work.

The child’s disability or health condition

The child’s disability or health condition must mean at least one of the following apply:

• they need much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability
• they have difficulty getting about

They must have had these difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to last for at least 6 months.

If a medical professional has said they might have 12 months or less to live, they do not need to have had these difficulties for 3 months.

When Your Child Turns 16:

Your child will need to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) when they turn 16.

Entitledto:

Visit the free, anonymous benefits calculator at Entitledto for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, and more.

How to Apply:

For more information and to apply, visit Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children.

Resources:

• DWP: Get help with benefits and pensions if you have accessibility (Link)
• DWP: Guide to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children, Easyread (Link)
• DWP Sign: Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children, BSL (YouTube Playlist)