A guide, not benefits advice, and we don’t send anything off for you. Anything you type in the worksheet stays on this device.
How the claim works
DLA has two parts. Your child can get one or both, and the form asks about each.
Care part
For help with things like washing, eating, toileting, medication, communication and keeping safe.
- Lowest £30.30
- Help needed for some of the day.
- Middle £76.70
- Frequent help or constant supervision by day, supervision at night, or help while on dialysis.
- Highest £114.60
- Help or supervision throughout both day and night.
Mobility part
For difficulty getting around.
- Lower £30.30 (age 5+)
- Can walk, but needs help or supervision outdoors, for example to stay safe or find the way.
- Higher £80.00 (age 3+)
- Can’t walk, can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort, could become very ill if they try to walk, or is blind or severely sight impaired.
Weekly amounts, 2026/27. 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 (not if they are nearing the end of life). There are also special rules for some children, for example those who are deafblind, or who have a severe mental impairment with severe behavioural problems and get the highest care rate. If that might be your child, ask your SENDIASS or a benefits adviser.
Describing what your child needs
The whole form comes down to one question: how much more help does your child need than another child their age? Most of us play it down without meaning to; when you live with it every day, it just becomes normal.
- Always compare with another child their age. For each thing, write what a child that age would usually manage on their own, then what your child needs on top of that.
- Cover the good days and the hard ones. It’s easy to describe a calm day and forget the rest. Walk through the mornings, mealtimes, the school run, evenings and the night.
- The more specific you are, the better. “I prompt him through every step of getting dressed, around twenty minutes, or he won’t leave the house” tells them far more than “needs help dressing”.
- They also want to know what could go wrong. What would happen if you turned your back for a moment: near roads or water, choking, hurting themselves, bolting off.
- Keep a rough diary for a week first. Small bits of help add up, and they’re easy to forget when you finally sit down to fill it in. Don’t leave out the nights.
- Send any evidence you have, but don’t hold the claim up for it. Letters from professionals, a care plan or a list of medicines all help, and the form can go in without them.
- Ring for the form before you start. In England and Wales, your claim can count from the day you call the DLA line on 0800 121 4600, as long as you send the pack back within six weeks.
Draft your answers
Write a few notes against each area, in whatever words come to you. When you’re done, print or save them and copy them onto the form. Your notes stay in this browser only and are cleared after 30 days without changes. On a shared device, press Clear when you finish.
Care and supervision
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, food cut up, supervision (choking, overeating), or a special diet? How often?
Any help, prompting, cleaning, or nappies or pads beyond what’s 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?
Getting around (mobility)
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 can’t find their way or cope? Why, and is it always?
Get the form, and free help
Common questions
Is DLA means-tested?
No. DLA for children isn’t means-tested and is tax-free. It doesn’t depend on your income, savings or National Insurance, and you can claim whether you’re in or out of work.
Does my child need a diagnosis to claim DLA?
No. DLA is based on the extra care or supervision your child needs compared with a child the same age, not on a diagnosis. You can claim while you’re still waiting for an assessment.
How much is DLA for children?
It’s paid at between £30.30 and £194.60 a week (2026/27 rates), made up of a care part (lowest, middle or highest rate) and a mobility part (lower or higher rate), depending on the help your child needs.
What happens to DLA at 16?
In England and Wales, DLA for children ends at 16 and your child is invited to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. In Scotland, Child Disability Payment continues until 18 before moving to Adult Disability Payment.
Can I get help filling in the DLA form?
Yes, free. Your local SENDIASS, and charities such as Contact and Cerebra, can help you complete the form. Cerebra publishes a detailed free DLA guide.
Been through the DLA form already?
Join SEN2gether free and talk to parents who have, plus plain-English guides and tools that help, on the web or in the app.