Fill in the DLA form for your child, with confidence
Disability Living Allowance can be worth up to £194.60 a week and isn’t means-tested, but the form is long and off-putting, and thousands of families miss out. This shows you what each part is really asking, the way of writing that wins claims, and a worksheet to draft your answers and print them off to copy across.
How the claim works
DLA has two parts. Your child can get one or both. The form asks about each.
Care component
For help with things like washing, eating, toileting, medication, communication and keeping safe, or being watched over. Three rates:
Help needed for some of the day.
Frequent help or constant supervision by day, supervision at night, or help while on dialysis.
Help or supervision throughout both day and night.
Mobility component
For difficulty getting around. Two rates:
Can walk, but needs help or supervision outdoors, for example to stay safe or find the way.
Cannot walk, or can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort.
Qualifying period: your child must have needed this help for at least 3 months and be expected to need it for at least the next 6 months.
How to write answers that win
The form is scored on how much more help your child needs than a child the same age without a disability. Most families undersell. Here is how not to.
- Compare with a child the same age. For each task, say what a typical child their age would do alone, then the extra help yours needs.
- Describe a normal day, and your worst days. Don’t only write about good days. Cover mornings, mealtimes, school runs, evenings and nights.
- Be specific: how often, how long, what if. “I have to prompt every step of dressing, about 20 minutes, or he won’t leave the house” beats “needs help dressing”.
- Spell out the risks. What could happen if you weren’t watching, near roads, water, choking, self-harm, running off.
- Keep a diary for a week before you write, so nothing gets forgotten, and include night-time help.
- Add evidence, but don’t wait for it. Send letters from professionals, care plans and a medication list if you have them, the claim can go in without.
- Call to book your start date. Ring the DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600 for the pack first, your claim starts from that call as long as you return it within 6 weeks.
Draft your answers
Jot notes against each area below. When you’re done, print or save them and copy across onto the real form. This runs entirely in your browser, nothing is saved online or sent anywhere.
How much more help does your child need than a child the same age? How long does it take? What happens without help?
Do they need help, prompting, cutting up food, supervision (e.g. choking, overeating), or a special diet? How often?
Any help, prompting, cleaning, or nappies/pads beyond what is usual for their age? How often, day and night?
Medicines, physio, sensory or other therapy you give or supervise. How long does it take each day and how often?
Help to understand, be understood, follow instructions, or cope with change. Give real examples.
What could happen if you looked away? Roads, danger, self-harm, running off, meltdowns. How constantly do you watch them?
Behaviour you have to manage or calm, how often it happens, how long it lasts, and what you have to do.
Waking, help to settle, checks, medication, personal care or supervision at night. How many times, most nights?
Can they walk? How far before severe discomfort, pain or exhaustion? Do they use a wheelchair, buggy or aids?
Do they need someone with them outdoors for safety or because they cannot find their way or cope? Why, and always?
Get the form, and free help
The official form
Request the DLA claim pack by phone on 0800 121 4600, or start it online. Calling first sets your claim start date.
DLA for children on GOV.UKFree help completing it
Your local SENDIASS can help you fill it in, one to one and free. Charities like Contact and Cerebra also publish detailed DLA guides.
Find your local SENDIASSJoin a community of parents who’ve been through the DLA process, and get plain-English guides, tools and support, on the web or in the app.