Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is paid to help with the extra costs of caring for and getting around with a disabled child under 16. Unlike PIP for adults, DLA for children remains in place and has not been replaced in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Here are all the current DLA rates for 2026/27 and how the system works.
DLA Rates 2026/27 — Summary
DLA has two components: care (based on help needed with daily activities) and mobility (based on help getting around). Your child may receive one or both.
Care Component
| Rate | Weekly Amount | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | £108.55 | £5,645 |
| Middle | £72.65 | £3,778 |
| Lowest | £28.70 | £1,492 |
Mobility Component
| Rate | Weekly Amount | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Higher | £75.89 | £3,946 |
| Lower | £28.70 | £1,492 |
Which Rate Does Your Child Get?
The DWP assesses both the level of care your child needs and their ability to get around. Each component is assessed independently.
Care Component — Which Rate?
| Rate | Your Child’s Needs |
|---|---|
| Highest care | Requires frequent attention with bodily functions throughout the day AND at night, OR requires prolonged attention, OR has a medical condition where they cannot reasonably be expected to live much longer |
| Middle care | Frequent attention throughout the day OR prolonged attention OR regular attention at night throughout the night |
| Lowest care | Requires some daytime help or supervision, but not at the level of middle rate — or requires help with cooking a main meal |
Note: The care component is based on help needed compared to a child without the disability of the same age. A 3-year-old needing nappy changes is not unusual, so the DWP compares care needs against a typical child of the same age.
Mobility Component — Which Rate?
| Rate | Your Child’s Ability |
|---|---|
| Higher mobility | Unable or virtually unable to walk, or to walk without endangering life or causing serious deterioration in health — OR both deaf and blind — OR severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems |
| Lower mobility | Can walk but needs guidance or supervision outdoors due to learning difficulties or behavioural issues |
Age requirements:
- Higher mobility rate: must be at least 3 years old
- Lower mobility rate: must be at least 5 years old
- Care component (lowest): must be at least 3 months old
- Care component (middle/highest): must be at least 3 months old (6 months for highest rate unless terminally ill)
Common DLA Award Combinations
Most children receive a combination of components. Common examples:
| Condition | Typical Award |
|---|---|
| Severe autism | Middle/Highest care + Lower mobility |
| Cerebral palsy (non-ambulatory) | Highest care + Higher mobility |
| Type 1 diabetes requiring insulin | Middle care (no mobility unless mobility is also affected) |
| Severe ADHD | Middle care + Lower mobility |
| Down syndrome | Middle care + Lower/Higher mobility |
| Cystic fibrosis | Middle/Highest care (dependent on severity) |
| Blindness | Highest care + Higher mobility |
These are guides only — every child’s claim is assessed individually.
DLA and Age Milestones
Claiming from Birth
The care component can be claimed from 3 months of age. If your child has been disabled from birth or shortly after, do not wait — an award backdates to the claim date, not earlier.
Age 3 — Mobility Component Opens
Higher rate mobility becomes available from age 3. This is significant because Motability (cars, powered wheelchairs, scooters funded by the mobility component) is also accessible from this age.
Age 16 — Transition to PIP
When your child turns 16, they are invited to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead of DLA. The DWP sends an invitation letter around the child’s 16th birthday. DLA continues to be paid during the PIP assessment period.
Key point: The PIP assessment is separate from DLA — your child must meet PIP criteria independently. Past DLA awards do not guarantee a PIP award.
Scotland: Child Disability Payment (CDP)
In Scotland, Child Disability Payment (CDP) has replaced DLA for children. CDP is administered by Social Security Scotland and has:
- The same two components (care and mobility)
- The same weekly rates as DLA
- A different assessment process designed to be more supportive
- An automatic transfer process for existing DLA claimants
If you live in Scotland, apply to Social Security Scotland for CDP, not the DWP.
How DLA Affects Other Benefits
Receiving DLA for a child unlocks significant additional support:
| Benefit | What Changes |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Additional disabled child element of £156.11/month (lower rate) or £487.58/month (higher rate) |
| Carer’s Allowance | The parent/carer may become eligible for Carer’s Allowance (£81.90/week) if providing 35+ hours care per week |
| Child Tax Credit | If on legacy benefits, enhanced disabled child element |
| Motability scheme | Higher mobility DLA unlocks access to a car or powered wheelchair |
| Blue Badge | Automatic eligibility with higher rate mobility |
| Disabled Persons Railcard | Third off rail fares for child and accompanying adult |
How to Claim DLA for a Child
- Call the DWP on 0800 121 4600 to request a form, or download form DLA1 Child from GOV.UK
- Describe your child’s worst days — the form asks about care needs on the days when your child is most affected
- Gather supporting evidence — letters from consultants, GPs, schools, therapists
- Apply as an appointee — a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult claims on behalf of the child
- Allow up to 26 weeks for a decision — complex cases take longer
Tips That Improve Success Rates
- Focus on what your child cannot do or needs help with, not what they can do
- Compare to a typical child of the same age — the comparison is developmental, not absolute
- Include evidence of night-time needs separately — they count independently from daytime needs
- Describe needs on the worst days, not average ones
- Ask their school or nursery for a supporting letter if they receive additional support
Appealing a DLA Decision
If you disagree with the DWP’s decision:
- Mandatory reconsideration — request this within one month of the decision letter
- Appeal to tribunal — if mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful, appeal to an independent tribunal within one month of the reconsideration decision
- Get help — Citizens Advice, welfare rights charities, and disability organisations can assist with appeals
Success rates at tribunal for disability benefit appeals are consistently high — around 70% of challenged decisions are overturned or improved.