[Sticky] Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

DLA is a tax-free payment that helps with the extra costs of bringing up a child with a disability or health condition. It's mainly for children under 16, and it comes in two parts: a care component and a mobility component. Your child can get one or both.

How much is it? (weekly rates from April 2026)

Care component (for extra help with personal care or supervision)

• Highest rate: £114.60. Help needed day and night, or terminally ill.
• Middle rate: £76.70. Help needed frequently through the day or during the night.
• Lowest rate: £30.30. Some help needed for part of the day.

Mobility component (for help getting around)

• Higher rate: £80.00. For children with severe walking difficulties, from age 3.
• Lower rate: £30.30. For children who can walk but need guidance or supervision outdoors, from age 5.

So the most a child can get is £194.60 a week (highest care plus higher mobility).

Good things to know:

• It's not means-tested, so your income and savings don't matter.
• It isn't based on a diagnosis. It's about how much extra care or supervision your child needs compared with other children their age.
• The middle or highest care rate can unlock Carer's Allowance if you care for them 35 hours or more a week.
• It can also bring extra help like the disabled child element in Universal Credit.
• The mobility component can help get a Motability car or a Blue Badge too.
• Children usually have to be at least 3 months old and have needed extra help for 3 months, with the need expected to last at least another 6 months (there are some exceptions, such as terminal illness).
• When your child turns 16, they'll usually be invited to move over to PIP, so keep an eye out for the letter from DWP.

Where to start: you can request a claim form from the DWP, and it's a long one, so give yourself plenty of time! Contact and Citizens Advice offer free help with filling it in. 🫶

Rates are correct for 2026/27, but always double-check on GOV.UK. In Scotland, DLA for children has been replaced by Child Disability Payment, which pays the same rates. Adults can't make new claims for DLA, as they apply for PIP instead.