Guides › Public Services › Disability Living Allowance for Children: Rates and Claiming
Disability Living Allowance for Children: Rates and Claiming
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children can help with the extra costs of a child under 16 who has difficulty walking or needs much more looking after than other children of the same age. It is paid at between £30.30 and £194.60 a week, made up of a care part and a mobility part. In Scotland you apply for Child Disability Payment instead.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
DLA for Children
Who Can Get It
A child under 16 who has difficulty walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age without a disability. source
Rates
Care part: lowest £30.30, middle £76.70, highest £114.60 a week. Mobility part: lower £30.30, higher £80 a week. Usually paid every 4 weeks. source
Scotland and Moving
In Scotland apply for Child Disability Payment. If you move between Scotland and England or Wales, report the move and make a new claim. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 1 monthChallenge a decisionAsk for mandatory reconsideration
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Keep a diary of the extra care your child needs.
Step 2 of 5
Get letters from doctors, school and therapists.
Step 3 of 5
Fill in the claim form with examples.
Step 4 of 5
Claim Carer's Allowance if you care 35 hours a week.
Step 5 of 5
Ask for a mandatory reconsideration if the award is wrong.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Mandatory Reconsideration (GOV.UK)
The first step to change a decision. Usually within one month.
Citizens Advice
Free, independent help with benefits, including challenges and appeals.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
DLA for a child can increase Universal Credit through the disabled child addition.
Rules here are for England and Wales. Scotland has its own disability and carer benefits from Social Security Scotland, and Northern Ireland benefits are run through nidirect.
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Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/how-to-claim%20 Checked 16 October 2026
- gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/rates Checked 16 October 2026
- gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration Checked 13 October 2026