Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children

Offered by Department for Work and Pensions

Disability benefit for an eligible child under 16 in England or Wales who needs substantially more care or has greater mobility difficulties than a child of the same age.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is a UK government benefit for eligible children under 16 in England and Wales.

Eligibility depends on the child's care or mobility needs, not on an autism diagnosis alone. The child must need substantially more looking after than a non-disabled child of the same age or have difficulty getting about, and the published residence and duration rules must also be met. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different application routes.

Care and mobility components are assessed separately. Families can request a paper claim pack or use the current DLA child claim form and should describe the child's day-to-day support needs in comparison with a child of the same age.

Program details can change. Confirm current eligibility, availability, costs, and application requirements with the official source before acting.

Eligibility

The child must be under 16 and usually live in England or Wales, with substantially greater care needs or mobility difficulties than a non-disabled child of the same age. Residence and duration rules also apply.

How to apply

Use the current DLA child claim form or call the DLA helpline for a paper claim pack, complete the questions about care and mobility needs, and return it using the current GOV.UK instructions.

At a glance

• Funding type: government funded
• Delivery: hybrid
• Services: Disability benefit
• Cost notes: There is no fee to claim. Payment depends on the assessed care and mobility components; current rates are published on GOV.UK and can change.

Source and verification

Last source check: July 28, 2026

Check the current program details at the cited source. Eligibility, funding, availability, fees, and application steps can change.

Open the official application or registration page

Find services near you

• Autism Assessment in London
• Speech Therapy in London
• Child Psychologists in London
• Child Psychiatrists in London
• Autism Assessment in Birmingham
• Autism Assessment in Manchester

Browse all autism programs and funding · Report incorrect or outdated program information