Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children
Financial support if your child has a long-term health condition or disability.
Last updated: 5 September 2026
What it is about
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children helps with the extra costs of looking after a child who has a health condition or disability.
What is involved
To qualify, your child must be under 16 and need much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability. It is not means-tested, meaning your income or savings will not affect how much you get.
Timeframes
You can claim at any time as long as your child is under 16. The allowance will usually continue as long as they meet the criteria, though you may need to reapply or transition to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) when they turn 16.
What you benefit from
The DLA rate is between £30.30 and £194.60 a week. The exact amount you receive depends on the level of care and mobility support your child needs.