Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit paid to a disabled child or a child with a long-term illness or health condition. 

DLA helps with the extra costs a disabled child may have. DLA is not means-tested so it does not matter what income or savings you have. Any decision to award DLA will be based on how your child’s condition impacts their day-to-day life.

There are two components to the benefit – mobility and care. Mobility is paid at two rates, and the care component at three rates. You can find the current rates on the government website.

DLA has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for adults aged 16 – 64; so when your child reaches 16 they will need to claim PIP. They will get a letter telling them that their DLA will end and they will need to make a new claim for PIP. They will not automatically be transferred to PIP.

Some adults can continue to get DLA, if the person you care for was born on or before 8th April 1948 and has an existing claim, they can retain DLA. All other adults getting DLA will be written to and will need to claim Personal Independence Payment.

Mobility component

The lower rate component can be paid if your child is aged 5 or over and needs someone with them when walking in an unfamiliar place. Your child must need a lot more ‘guidance or supervision’ than a non- disabled child of the same age.

Your child may get this if they have, for example:

• a learning disability
• a visual impairment
• mental health illness

The higher rate mobility component is paid to children aged 3 or over who can't walk or have difficulty walking. Your child may also qualify if they have very challenging behaviour and are entitled to the highest rate of the care component.

Your child may get this if, for example:

• they have a physical disability that makes walking hard
  walking is limited due to pain, discomfort, breathlessness, fatigue or something else
• the exertion needed to walk would be dangerous to their health, children with serious lung, chest or heart conditions may qualify under this rule
• if they have a severe behavioural problem which makes walking hard. Your child may qualify under this rule if they have a condition like autism or a severe learning disability and are entitled to the highest rate of the care component

Care component 

This can be paid if your child needs more care than another child of the same age who is not disabled.

Your child may get this if they need help with:

• personal care e.g. getting up, dressing, washing or using the toilet
  communicating
• managing their emotions and behaviour
• eating and drinking
• play and therapy

Citizens Advice has useful information about claiming DLA for your child.

Other key facts

• to get the mobility component your child must be aged 3 or over and to get the lower rate they must be aged 5 or over
• the care component can be paid from birth but usually from 3 months old.
  your child will need to meet the criteria for DLA for 3 months before it can be paid and will need to continue to meet the criteria for 6 months after the claim is made. If your child is terminally ill they do not have to meet this rule.
• you can spend DLA however you want.
• if your child gets middle or high rate care you may be able to claim Carers Allowance.
• Your child will need to pass the UK residence and presence conditions. You can find out more information on the government website.

How do I claim DLA?

You can either phone for an application form or download one.

If you phone and the claim is successful your payments will be backdated to the date you made the call as long as you return the form within the time limit. If you downloaded an application form, you will only be paid from the date the DWP receive the form.

Disability Living Allowance Helpline:
Telephone: 0800 121 4600
Monday – Friday 8 am to 6 pm

You can download the claim form on the government website.

How do I get help with the forms?

It can be hard to get help with filling in the claim form; it is lengthy and can take a long time to fill in. There are organisations in Bristol and South Gloucestershire that may be able to help by giving information over the phone, or at a drop-in (see below).

Some agencies offer appointments to help fill in the form but often there is a wait and not everyone can get this level of support.  It is always worth trying to talk to someone about claiming DLA before doing the form and reading the information online.

You could also try organisations or charities connected with your child's condition. Many produce guidance to help people fill in the forms and some have helplines where you can get advice and support.

Cerebra has a guide if your child has a neurological condition.

RNIB produces guidance to help you if your child is visually impaired.

Filling in the form yourself

It’s important to fill in the form with plenty of detail and not underestimate what you do. When parent carers are used to carrying out caring tasks they can get so used to doing them that they no longer think of it as caring.

Give as much detail as you can on the form, with examples if possible. Some people find it helpful to keep a diary and you can even include a week’s caring diary with the form. Always keep a photocopy of the completed form.

FAQs

Further help and advice

Local sources of help and advice

You can get a benefit check done through Citizens Advice or other local advice centres to find out what you and the person you care for may be able to claim.

As well as benefits advice, some advice centres also help with other money matters, including debt and energy advice.

• Citizens Advice (Bristol): Freephone 0808 278 7957
• Citizens Advice (South Glos):  0808 278 7947
• Age UK Bristol: 0117 922 5353
• Age UK S Glos: 01454 411 707
• North Bristol Advice Centre (North Bristol and South Gloucestershire): 0117 951 5751
• South Bristol Advice Services: 0117 985 1122
• St Paul’s Advice Centre (St. Paul’s & East Bristol): 0117 955 2981
• One-Stop Shops (Kingswood, Patchway, Yate)

Turn2US

Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. 

Fighting UK Poverty – Turn2us

CarersLine

If you are unsure whether you are entitled to benefits or where to go for further advice, please get in touch with CarersLine. We will point you in the right direction.