What Disability Living Allowance Is and Who Can Claim It

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free payment from the UK government for children and young people under 16 who need help with personal care or mobility because of a physical or mental condition. If you are claiming on behalf of a child, you submit the claim through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). DLA has two separate components — the care component and the mobility component — and you may receive one, both, or neither depending on your child's needs.

DLA is different from Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is for people aged 16 and over. If your child turns 16, their DLA will stop and they will need to make a separate claim for PIP if they still need support. The DWP will contact you about this transition before it happens.

You can claim DLA for a child from birth, but the earliest the payment can start is from the date you submit your claim form. There is no upper age limit for receiving DLA once awarded, but new claims can only be made for children under 16.

Key Takeaways

  • DLA claims are made on form DS1500 (fast-track for terminal illness) or form DLA1 (standard claim), both available from the DWP website or by phone.
  • You must provide medical evidence such as GP letters, hospital reports, or consultant assessments that describe your child's condition and day-to-day needs.
  • The DWP will contact you for a telephone assessment or face-to-face consultation, usually within 8 to 12 weeks of your claim being received.
  • A decision is normally made within 3 to 6 months of your claim date, though complex cases can take longer.
  • If you disagree with the decision, you can request a mandatory reconsideration within one month, then appeal to an independent tribunal if needed.

Getting the Claim Form and Medical Evidence

Request the DLA claim form by calling the DWP on 0800 121 4600 (textphone 0800 121 4600), or read it from the GOV.UK website. The standard form is called DLA1. If your child has a terminal illness expected to cause death within six months, ask for form DS1500 instead — this bypasses the normal waiting time and a decision is usually made within two weeks.

Before you start the form, gather medical evidence from your child's healthcare providers. This should include letters from your GP, hospital consultants, specialist nurses, or other medical professionals who know your child's condition. The evidence must describe what your child's condition is, how it affects them day-to-day, what help they need with personal care (washing, dressing, eating, toileting) or mobility (walking, getting around), and whether they need supervision for safety. Vague statements are not enough — the DWP needs specific examples of what your child cannot do or finds very difficult.

If you do not have recent medical evidence, contact your child's GP or hospital and ask them to write a letter for the DLA claim. This usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Do not wait for perfect evidence before submitting your claim — you can send additional information later — but the stronger your evidence at the start, the faster the decision.

Completing and Submitting Your Claim Form

The DLA1 form has sections asking about your child's condition, their daily routine, what help they need, and any hospital visits or treatments. Answer every question honestly and in detail. The form asks you to describe a typical day — what time your child wakes, what help they need getting washed and dressed, what they eat, how they spend their time, and what supervision or support is needed. Use specific examples rather than general statements.

For the mobility section, describe how far your child can walk, whether they need someone with them when going out, whether they use a wheelchair or walking aid, and whether they get lost or need guidance. For the care section, describe what personal care tasks your child cannot do alone, how often they need help, and whether they need someone to watch them for safety.

Once completed, send the form and all medical evidence to the address shown on the form. Keep a copy for your records. The DWP will send you a letter confirming they have received your claim and giving you a reference number. This usually arrives within 2 weeks.

What Happens After You Submit Your Claim

After the DWP receives your form, they will review the medical evidence and your answers. In most cases, they will contact you to arrange a consultation — either by telephone or face-to-face. This usually happens between 8 and 12 weeks after your claim is received, though it can be sooner or later depending on how busy the DWP is and how complex your case is.

During the consultation, a DWP assessor will ask you questions about your child's condition and needs. They are not a doctor and cannot diagnose anything — they are checking whether the information you provided on the form is accurate and complete. You can ask for the consultation to be by telephone if you prefer, or you can ask for it to be face-to-face. You can also bring someone with you to a face-to-face appointment, such as a family member or support worker.

After the consultation, the DWP will make a decision. This usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. You will receive a letter explaining whether you have been awarded DLA, and if so, which component(s) and at what rate. The letter will also explain how much you will receive and when payments will start.

Understanding DLA Rates and Payment

DLA has two separate components, each with different rates. The care component has three rates — highest, middle, and lowest — depending on how much help your child needs with personal care and supervision. The mobility component has two rates — higher and lower — depending on whether your child needs help getting around.

You may receive one component, both components, or neither. For example, a child might receive the highest rate of the care component but no mobility component, or both components at different rates. The DWP decision letter will specify which component(s) you have been awarded and at what rate.

Payments are made every four weeks into a bank account. The DWP will ask you for your bank details when you claim. If you need to change your bank account, contact the DWP and they will update it. DLA is not means-tested, so it does not matter how much money you have or earn — it is based only on your child's needs.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Refused or You Disagree With the Decision

If the DWP refuses your claim or awards a lower rate than you expected, you have the right to challenge the decision. You must request a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on the decision letter. Write to the DWP at the address shown on the letter, explain why you disagree, and include any new evidence that supports your case.

The DWP will review your case again, usually within 4 to 8 weeks. They may uphold their original decision, change it, or award a different rate. If you still disagree after the reconsideration, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. You do not need a lawyer, but you can bring someone to support you. The tribunal will look at all the evidence and make a fresh decision.

While you are waiting for a reconsideration or appeal, your original decision stands — you will continue to receive (or not receive) DLA at the rate the DWP decided. If you later win an appeal, any extra money owed to you from the date of the original decision will be paid as a lump sum.

Reporting Changes and Keeping Your Award

Once you are awarded DLA, you must tell the DWP if anything changes that might affect your child's needs or your circumstances. This includes if your child's condition improves or gets worse, if they start or stop treatment, if they move house, or if your contact details change. You can report changes by calling 0800 121 4600 or by writing to the DWP.

DLA is awarded for a fixed period — usually 1, 2, 3, or 5 years depending on your child's condition. Before the award ends, the DWP will contact you and ask whether you want to renew your claim. You will need to provide updated medical evidence and complete a renewal form. If you do not renew before the award ends, payments will stop.

If your child's condition is unlikely to improve, you may be awarded DLA for life. The DWP will tell you in the decision letter whether your award is for a fixed period or for life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim DLA if my child has not been formally diagnosed?

You can claim based on symptoms and the impact on your child's daily life, but you will need medical evidence from a healthcare professional. This could be a GP letter describing the symptoms and how they affect your child, even if a formal diagnosis has not been made yet. The DWP needs evidence from someone may have access to to assess your child's condition.

What if my child's condition is temporary or expected to improve?

You can still claim DLA. The DWP will award it for a fixed period — for example, one year — and then ask you to renew if your child still needs support. If your child's condition improves and they no longer need help, you should tell the DWP so payments can stop.

How much does DLA cost to claim?

There is no charge to claim DLA. The form and information are free. You do not need to pay for medical evidence letters from your GP or hospital — these are provided as part of NHS care, though some private specialists may charge.

What happens when my child turns 16?

Your child's DLA will stop automatically when they turn 16. The DWP will contact you before this date and explain how to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead, which is the adult version of disability support. You will need to make a new claim for PIP — your DLA award does not automatically transfer.

Can I claim DLA if I am not the child's parent?

Yes. If you are the child's legal guardian or have parental responsibility, you can claim on their behalf. You will need to provide proof of your relationship to the child when you submit your claim.