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 on 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.

DLA for adults aged 16 – 64 has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP); so when your child reaches 16 they will need to claim PIP.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 make a claim for Personal Independence Payment.  If you are an adult aged 65 and over you should make a claim for Attendance Allowance.

You can find out more or apply for Disability Living Allowance by calling 0800 121 4600 or go to www.gov.uk

Download the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) factsheet from CarersUK here.