PIP for children: how Disability Living Allowance for under-16s works

Children under 16 with a disability or health condition do not claim PIP. Instead, they can claim Disability Living Allowance, or DLA, which helps with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child. This guide explains how DLA for children works, the 2026/27 rates, how the assessment differs from PIP, what DLA can unlock, and what happens when your child turns 16.

What DLA for children is

DLA for children is a tax-free benefit for under-16s who need substantially more care, attention or supervision than a child of the same age without a disability, or who have difficulty getting around. It is not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect it. It has two parts, the care component and the mobility component, and your child may qualify for one or both depending on their needs.

The 2026/27 rates

DLA rates rose by 3.8% from April 2026. The care component has three rates: the lowest is £30.30 a week, the middle is £76.70 a week, and the highest is £113.15 a week. The mobility component has two rates: the lower is £30.30 a week and the higher is £80.00 a week. A child receiving the highest care and higher mobility rates can therefore receive up to around £193.15 a week, paid every four weeks and tax-free. Always check GOV.UK for current figures.

How DLA is assessed

Unlike PIP, DLA for children does not use a points system. Instead, it looks at the real impact of your child's condition, asking whether they need substantially more care, attention or supervision than other children of the same age. Because all young children need care, the test compares your child's needs with those of a typical child of that age, which is why the impact of the condition is what matters.

The care component

The care component reflects how much help your child needs with things like washing, dressing, eating, taking medication and staying safe, including at night. The lowest rate is for help for part of the day, the middle rate for frequent help during the day or supervision at night, and the highest rate for help day and night, or for a child who is terminally ill. The care component can be claimed from three months of age, with a longer qualifying period for the highest rate.

The mobility component

The mobility component helps with getting around. The lower rate, available from age five, is for a child who can walk but needs much more guidance or supervision outdoors than other children, which often applies to children with autism, learning disabilities or significant visual impairment. The higher rate, available from age three, is for a child who cannot walk, can only walk a short distance with severe difficulty, or has a severe visual impairment.

How to claim

You claim DLA for a child using the DLA claim form, describing in detail how your child's condition affects their care and mobility needs compared with other children of the same age. As with PIP, detail matters: give specific examples, describe bad days as well as typical days, mention any aids and supervision, and send supporting evidence such as letters from your child's doctors, school or therapists.

What DLA unlocks

A DLA award opens up further help. If your child receives the middle or highest care rate, you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance if you care for them at least 35 hours a week. Any rate of DLA can add the disabled child element to Universal Credit, worth £156.11 a month, and the highest care rate can add the severely disabled child element of £487.58 a month. The higher mobility rate gives an automatic Blue Badge and access to Motability, and DLA can also raise the Tax-Free Childcare limit.

Turning 16: moving to PIP

DLA for children stops at 16, when your young person is invited to claim PIP instead. The DWP usually writes around 20 weeks before their birthday. It is important to respond, as DLA continues to be paid until the PIP decision is made, so there is no gap if the claim is submitted promptly. Remember that PIP is assessed differently, using a points system, so a DLA award does not automatically carry over and a fresh assessment takes place.

If you live in Scotland

In Scotland, DLA for children has been replaced by Child Disability Payment, run by Social Security Scotland. It uses the same rates and broadly the same criteria, but the application process is run by Social Security Scotland and tends to be less intrusive. When a young person on Child Disability Payment reaches the relevant age, they move to Adult Disability Payment rather than PIP.

Claim as early as you can

If your child has a disability or health condition, do not delay claiming, because DLA is paid from the date of your claim and is not backdated to before then. The care component can be claimed from three months of age, so if your child has had needs from birth or shortly after, it is worth claiming as soon as the qualifying period is met rather than waiting. Claiming promptly means you do not lose money you could have had.

Evidence from school and professionals

Evidence is very helpful for a child's DLA claim. As well as letters from doctors and consultants, evidence from your child's school, nursery, health visitor, occupational therapist or specialist nurse can show how their condition affects daily life. Education, health and care plans and any reports you have are useful too. The aim is to paint a full picture of the extra care and supervision your child needs compared with other children of their age.

Reviews and renewals

DLA for children is often awarded for a fixed period, after which it is reviewed. Treat a renewal with the same care as the first claim, describing your child's current needs fully, as awards are looked at afresh rather than simply continued. Keep a copy of your original claim so you can be consistent, and note any ways in which your child's needs have changed since you last applied.

Hospital and care stays

If your child goes into hospital or a care setting, their DLA can be affected after a period, so let the DWP know about any lengthy stay. For most families this does not arise, but it is one of the changes you are expected to report, alongside changes in your child's condition or needs. Reporting promptly keeps the claim accurate and avoids an overpayment that you would later have to repay.

When your child's needs change

If your child's condition or care needs change significantly, you can ask for their DLA to be looked at again, which could mean a higher award if their needs have grown. Equally, you should report improvements. Keeping the DWP informed makes sure your child receives the right rate and protects you from problems later, and a short diary of your child's needs can help you show how things have changed.

Where to get help

Claiming DLA for a child rewards a careful, detailed form, and free help is available from Citizens Advice, Contact (the charity for families with disabled children), and your local welfare rights service. They can help you describe your child's needs in the way the assessment looks for. When your child approaches 16, see our guide to how PIP works to prepare for the move.