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DWP

Disability Living Allowance (children)

DWP benefit for children under 16 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who need extra looking after or have mobility difficulties because of a disability.

Headline rate£114.60care component — highest rate (weekly)
Written by Due to You Editorial
Reviewed by D2Y Editorial Team
Last updated (2026-04-20)
Sourced from: GOV.UK

Overview

Disability Living Allowance for children is a non-means-tested benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for children under 16 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who need significantly more help than other children the same age, or who have walking difficulties, because of a disability or long-term health condition. It has two components: a care component paid at three rates, and a mobility component paid at two rates. The lowest rates start from 3 months for care and age 3 (higher rate) or 5 (lower rate) for mobility. A child must generally have had the difficulties for at least three months and be expected to have them for at least another six months, although this qualifying period is bypassed where the child has a terminal illness and a claim is made under Special Rules. Eligibility is not affected by household income, savings, or employment. At age 16, the claim is reviewed and moves across to Personal Independence Payment. Disability Living Allowance for children has been replaced for Scottish claimants by Child Disability Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland. Individual eligibility and rate are determined by the DWP. This page references figures and criteria from the primary GOV.UK source; the authoritative source for any individual award remains the DWP.

Applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Administered by DWP. This page is general information; contact DWP for your individual circumstances.

Rates

RateAmountPeriodSource
Care component — highest rate£114.60WEEKLY[GOV.UK]
Care component — lowest rate£30.30WEEKLY[GOV.UK]
Care component — middle rate£76.70WEEKLY[GOV.UK]
Mobility component — higher rate£80WEEKLY[GOV.UK]
Mobility component — lower rate£30.30WEEKLY[GOV.UK]

Eligibility criteria include

  • AGE
    Child must be under 16. At 16 the claimant moves onto Personal Independence Payment. [GOV.UK]
  • DISABILITY
    Child must need extra looking after, or have walking difficulties, because of a disability. [GOV.UK]
  • DISABILITY
    Needs must be significantly greater than other children the same age without a disability. [GOV.UK]
  • OTHER
    Difficulties must have lasted at least 3 months and be expected to last at least 6 more months (6+6 test), except for children with a terminal illness. [GOV.UK]
  • RESIDENCE
    Child must normally live in England or Wales when the claim is made (DLA-children has been replaced by Child Disability Payment in Scotland). [GOV.UK]
  • RESIDENCE
    Past-presence test: under 6 months — lived in GB at least 13 weeks; 6 months to 3 years — 26 of the last 156 weeks; over 3 — 6 of the last 12 months. [GOV.UK]
  • IMMIGRATION
    A non-British-citizen child must have a right to claim public funds. [GOV.UK]

Sources