Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Extra Support for Children with SEND 

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for children under 16 who need extra help because of a disability or health condition. It’s not means-tested, which means your income or savings won’t affect whether you can get it. 

Who Can Apply? 

You can apply for DLA if: 

• Your child is under 16 years old 

• They need more care, supervision, or help getting around than other children of the same age 

• These needs have lasted for at least 3 months and are expected to continue for at least 6 months 
  (unless your child is terminally ill — in which case support can start sooner) 

What Does DLA Provide? 

DLA has two parts, called components: 

• Care Component – for children who need extra help with personal care, supervision, or staying safe 

• Mobility Component – for children who have difficulty walking or need help moving around safely 

Your child may qualify for one or both components, and the amount depends on how much support they need. 

Why DLA Matters 

DLA provides extra financial support to help with the costs of caring for a child with additional needs. 

Receiving DLA may also help you access other support, such as: 

• Carer’s Allowance (if you care for your child for 35+ hours a week) 

• Extra help through Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit 

• Motability Scheme (if your child receives the higher rate of the mobility component) 

Key Things to Remember 

• DLA is not affected by income or savings 

• It’s paid every 4 weeks, usually into your bank account 

• When your child turns 16, they may need to move onto Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead 

How to Apply 

You can apply: 

• Online or by post via the government website: Apply for DLA for children 

• Or request a form by calling the DLA helpline: 

 0800 121 4600 

It’s helpful to include evidence from school, doctors, therapists, or social workers to support your claim. 

https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children