The DLA for working age people (16 to state pension age) is gradually being replaced by the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), but the DLA for adults in Northern Ireland will continue to apply.
This page focuses on DLA for children, explaining whether your child is eligible, how much it is, and how to claim it. Parents and guardians of children in Scotland should claim Child Disability Payment (administered by the Scottish Social Security Agency) instead of DLA. For more information about this change, see the Child Benefits page.
What is DLA?
DLA helps you meet the extra costs of care and outings required for your disabled child. For this reason, DLA has two components: a care component and a mobility component. DLA is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Many blind and visually impaired children receive this benefit and we encourage you to apply for it on your child’s behalf. DLA is tax-free, not means-tested and does not affect any other benefits you already receive, so you have nothing to lose by applying.
Find out if your child is eligible for DLA
You can claim DLA if:
You are the parent of a child under 16 who has a vision impairment, your child has had these problems for at least three months, and you expect your child will have these problems for at least six months.
How much is DLA worth?
If your application is successful, you may be paid for the care part, the mobility part, or both. The rate for each part depends on how much help DWP thinks your child needs. Many blind or partially sighted children receive at least the lower rate of both parts, but DWP may pay more or less than this based on your application.
The care component consists of three fees:
The minimum weekly amount is £24.45, the median weekly amount is £61.85 and the maximum weekly amount is £92.40.
The mobility component consists of two rates:
The cheapest weekly rate is £24.45 and the most expensive weekly rate is £64.50.
If you care for a child for more than 35 hours a week, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance in addition to the medium and high elements of DLA.
How to apply for DLA for your child
Request a claim pack by calling the DWP’s DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. If you’re using a textphone, the number is 0800 121 4523.
You can also access the DLA claim form online.
Our fact sheet has lots of useful tips on what information to include in your application to ensure you apply for DLA most effectively.