Can I get DLA for my child?

For parents and carers of disabled children under 16 in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Applies to: England, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Disability Living Allowance for children may help with extra costs if your child is under 16 and has difficulty walking or needs much more looking after than other children their age. It's between £30.30 and £194.60 a week, depending on the help needed.

In Scotland, apply for Child Disability Payment instead.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland

Key facts

£30.30 to £194.60 a week
Under 16
Scotland: Child Disability Payment

DLA rates for children in 2026/27

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children has two parts: care and mobility. A child can get one or both.

Care part	Per week
Lowest rate	£30.30
Middle rate	£76.70
Highest rate	£114.60

Mobility part	Per week
Lower rate	£30.30
Higher rate	£80.00

The most a child can get is £194.60 a week (highest care plus higher mobility). DLA is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Who it is for

DLA for children is for children under 16 who need much more help or supervision than other children of the same age, or who have walking difficulties, because of a disability or health condition. The child must usually have needed this extra help for at least 3 months and be expected to need it for at least another 6 months, unless they are nearing the end of life. You must usually live in England or Wales when you claim.

Age rules for the mobility part

Higher mobility rate: can usually be paid from age 3, for example if a child cannot walk or can only walk a short distance.
Lower mobility rate: can usually be paid from age 5, for example if a child needs guidance or supervision outdoors.

What happens at 16

Your child will need to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). They are usually sent a letter inviting them to apply shortly after their 16th birthday. If they apply by the date in the letter, they keep getting DLA until their PIP claim is assessed. If they do not apply in time, their DLA stops.

Extra help it can unlock

A DLA award can increase other benefits, such as Universal Credit, and can help you qualify for Carer's Allowance if you care for your child for 35 hours a week or more (where the child gets the middle or highest care rate).

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

Scotland: apply for Child Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland instead of DLA.
Northern Ireland: you claim DLA for children through nidirect. Your child will also need to apply for PIP at 16.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Claim DLA for a child

Common questions

What are the DLA rates for children in 2026/27?

The care part is £30.30, £76.70 or £114.60 a week, and the mobility part is £30.30 or £80 a week. DLA is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Is DLA for children means tested?

No. You can claim DLA for your child whether you are in or out of work.

What age can a child get the mobility part of DLA?

The higher mobility rate can be paid from age 3, and the lower mobility rate from age 5.

What happens to DLA when my child turns 16?

Your child will need to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and DLA stops unless they apply by the date in their invitation letter.

Official sources

1.Disability Living Allowance for childrenwww.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children
2.DLA for children: rateswww.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/rates
3.DLA for children: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility
4.DLA for children: when your child turns 16www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/when-your-child-turns-16

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

Ask about your situation

Please don't include your name, address, National Insurance number or health details. See our privacy notice.