Disability Living Allowance 2026/27
DLA Rates for Children 2026/27 - Eligibility & How to Claim
Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 - current weekly rates, eligibility criteria and a step-by-step guide to making a claim.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit that helps with the extra costs of caring for a child who has a disability or health condition. It is not means-tested it does not matter how much you earn or what savings you have. Rates increased by 3.8% from April 2026.
Important: DLA is for children under 16. When your child turns 16, they will be invited to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. In Scotland, DLA for children has been replaced by Child Disability Payment (CDP), which uses the same rates and criteria.
DLA Rates 2026/27 - Current Weekly Amounts
DLA is made up of two components - the care component and the mobility component. Your child may qualify for one or both, depending on their needs.
Maximum weekly award (highest care + higher mobility)
£193.15 per weekThat's £10,043.80 per year - paid every 4 weeks, tax-free, directly into your bank account
Rates updated April 2026. All existing claimants receive the new rates automatically - no action required. DLA is paid every 4 weeks, usually on a Tuesday.
What Is DLA For?
DLA helps with the extra costs that come with raising a child who has a disability or health condition. The care component covers additional help with personal care and supervision. The mobility component covers help with getting around and travel costs.
The money is yours to use as you need - there are no restrictions on how you spend it. Many families use it to cover transport, specialist equipment, adaptations, or simply the additional day-to-day costs of caring for a disabled child.
Who Is Eligible for DLA?
Care Component - your child may qualify if they need:
- Help with personal care such as washing, dressing, eating or using the toilet
- Supervision to avoid danger during the day or night
- Watching over to ensure their safety
- Substantially more care or attention than a child of the same age without a disability
- Help with medical procedures or treatments
Mobility Component - your child may qualify if they:
- Are unable or virtually unable to walk (higher rate, from age 3)
- Have severe mental impairment with severe behavioural problems (higher rate)
- Are blind or deaf (higher rate in some circumstances)
- Can walk but need substantial guidance or supervision outdoors (lower rate, from age 5)
- Have a terminal illness (higher rate automatically)
The key test for DLA: Does your child need substantially more care, attention or supervision than a child of the same age who does not have a disability? DLA does not use a points scoring system - it looks at the real impact of your child's condition on their daily life.
DLA and the Blue Badge
If your child receives the higher rate mobility component of DLA, they automatically qualify for a Blue Badge - no further assessment needed. This gives them access to disabled parking bays and the other parking benefits that come with a Blue Badge.
Got Your Blue Badge?
If your child's DLA award includes the higher rate mobility component, they qualify automatically for a Blue Badge. Keep it protected and clearly displayed with one of our stylish, UK-made holders - hologram-safe, with a free parking clock included.
How to Claim DLA for a Child
- 1Call the DWP DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600 to request a claim form (DLA1 Child), or download it from GOV.UK
- 2Complete the form in detail, focusing on your child's worst days - not their best. Describe how their condition affects them day to day.
- 3Gather supporting evidence - letters from consultants, GPs, schools or other professionals involved in your child's care
- 4Submit the form with your supporting evidence. Keep a copy of everything you send.
- 5DWP will write to you with a decision. If you disagree, you have the right to request a mandatory reconsideration.
Tips for a successful claim: Describe your child's worst days, not the good days. Be specific about time - how many minutes does each task take? How often does it happen? Vague answers are less likely to result in an award. Disability charities such as Contact and Scope offer free help completing the form.
What Happens When Your Child Turns 16?
DLA does not continue automatically when your child reaches 16. DWP will write to you around their 16th birthday inviting them to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. DLA does not automatically convert to PIP - a separate assessment takes place.
It is important to respond promptly to any letters from DWP about the transition to PIP to avoid a gap in payments. Our guide to PIP explains how the assessment works and what to expect.
DLA and Other Benefits
A successful DLA claim can unlock other support:
- Carer's Allowance - if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for your child, you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance
- Blue Badge - automatic eligibility if your child receives the higher rate mobility component
- Motability Scheme - higher rate mobility component can be used to lease a car or powered wheelchair
- Disability premium - DLA can increase the amount you receive from means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit
- Free school transport - some local authorities use DLA as a qualifying criterion
- VAT exemption - certain products bought for a disabled child may be exempt from VAT