Disability Living Allowance (DLA) — Coming Soon
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: DWP
DLA helps with the extra costs of looking after a child under 16 who needs more care or supervision than other children their age because of a disability or health condition. We’re building a dedicated DLA service — check if you could be eligible below and register your interest.
No cost, no obligation
Checking your eligibility and registering your interest costs nothing and doesn’t commit you to anything.
Check If Your Child Could Qualify
A few quick questions about your child’s day-to-day needs — no jargon, no medical terms. Takes about 2 minutes.
No obligation
What is DLA?
Video coming soon
Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 who need considerably more looking after than other children of the same age, because of a disability or long-term health condition. It is not means-tested, does not depend on your income or savings, and is paid regardless of whether your child has a formal diagnosis. Since 2013, DLA for adults has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP), so new DLA claims are now almost always for children — adults already receiving DLA continue to be transferred across to PIP over time. This page explains who can claim, how the two components work, and what to do next.
Who Can Claim DLA?
DLA for children is available if your child:
- is under 16
- needs a lot more looking after than another child of the same age, because of a disability or health condition
- has had these difficulties for at least 3 months, and they’re expected to last at least 6 months in total (unless they are terminally ill)
- has been in the UK for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and normally lives in the UK, in most circumstances
There is no set list of qualifying conditions. DLA looks at the actual care and supervision your child needs, not a diagnosis on its own — see our eligibility page for the detailed rules and age thresholds.
DLA Rates
Care Component
Mobility Component
A child can receive one or both components, depending on their needs. See our full rates breakdown for how this is worked out.
Explore DLA
Eligibility
Who qualifies, age rules and qualifying conditions.
How to Apply
The application process, step by step.
How Much You Could Get
Care and mobility component rates explained.
Guides for specific conditions:
DLA: Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults still claim DLA?
No. DLA for adults (aged 16-65) closed to new claims in 2013 and has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Existing adult DLA claimants are gradually being moved across to PIP. DLA is now only available for new claims for children under 16.
Is DLA means-tested?
No. DLA is not means-tested and is not affected by savings, income or National Insurance contributions. It is also tax-free.
Can we get DLA and Child Benefit at the same time?
Yes. DLA is paid on top of Child Benefit — claiming one does not reduce or affect the other.
What happens when my child turns 16?
DLA for children stops at 16, and your child will usually need to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead, following DWP's own process for young people turning 16.
How long does a DLA claim take?
It varies, but DWP decisions on DLA for children typically take a number of weeks after all evidence is received. Applying early and providing full evidence up front tends to speed things up.
Related benefits
Register Your Interest
Our dedicated DLA service is launching soon. Register your interest below, and we’ll be in touch the moment it’s ready.
Register My Interest