Disability Living Allowance for Children: Rates and Eligibility 2026/27
DLA for children under 16 is paid at three care rates and two mobility rates, uprated annually by CPI, and is not means-tested. Here is who qualifies and the 2026/27 rates.
Two separate components, assessed against a child's peers
DLA for children is assessed by comparing a child's care and mobility needs against what would be typical for a child of the same age without a disability โ not against an adult standard. This distinction matters, since a level of support that would be entirely normal to provide to, say, a 2-year-old (constant supervision, help with all personal care) is not automatically "extra" need โ DLA looks at care and mobility needs above and beyond what is typical at that age.
Benefit Entitlement Checker (Universal Credit)
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Open Benefit Entitlement calculatorThe two components
| Component | Rates | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Care component | Lowest, middle, highest | Extra help with personal care, supervision, or watching over, compared with a child of the same age |
| Mobility component | Lower, higher | Walking difficulties or needing help getting around, compared with a child of the same age |
Exact weekly rates for both components are uprated by CPI each April โ check the current gov.uk DLA rates page for the specific 2026/27 figures.
Worked example 1: a young child with significant care needs
Amira, aged 4, has a complex medical condition requiring frequent overnight care and constant daytime supervision well beyond what is typical for a 4-year-old.
| Assessment area | Likely outcome |
|---|---|
| Care component | Likely highest rate, given both day and night care needs |
| Mobility component | May not yet apply at this age depending on the specific mobility difficulties assessed |
Worked example 2: an older child with walking difficulties
Jamie, aged 9, has a condition significantly affecting his ability to walk any distance without severe discomfort or the need for physical support.
| Assessment area | Likely outcome |
|---|---|
| Mobility component | Potentially higher rate, given significant walking difficulty for his age |
| Care component | Assessed separately, based on personal care and supervision needs |
Jamie's higher rate mobility award, if granted, would also confer automatic Blue Badge eligibility for the family's car use.
Worked example 3: the transition to PIP at 16
Sofia has received the highest rate care component and higher rate mobility component of DLA since early childhood. She turns 16 in 2026.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| DWP invitation to claim PIP | Issued ahead of her 16th birthday |
| Fresh PIP assessment | Required โ DLA entitlement does not automatically continue |
| Possible outcomes | PIP awarded (potentially at a different level than her DLA award), reduced, or in some cases not awarded, depending on the PIP assessment against adult criteria |
This transition is one of the most important practical points for families to understand โ a long-standing, generous child DLA award does not guarantee an equivalent PIP award, since PIP uses a different points-based assessment framework specifically designed for adults.
Child Benefit Calculator (with HICBC)
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Open Child Benefit calculatorKnock-on effects on other support
A DLA award for a child can unlock or increase other support: the disabled child element within Universal Credit (or Child Tax Credit for those still on legacy benefits), potential Carer's Allowance eligibility for a parent providing substantial care, and various "passported" benefits or discounts tied to DLA receipt (such as Blue Badge eligibility via the higher rate mobility component).
Use the benefit entitlement calculator to check your overall household benefit position, and the Child Benefit calculator to see how DLA interacts with your wider family benefit entitlement.
Frequently asked questions
What is Disability Living Allowance for children?
DLA for children is a benefit for children under 16 with a disability or long-term health condition who need extra looking after or have walking difficulties compared with other children of the same age. It is not means-tested โ it does not depend on the family's income or savings โ and is paid in addition to other benefits like Child Benefit or Universal Credit.
What are the two components of child DLA?
DLA has a care component (for help needed with personal care, supervision, or watching over) and a mobility component (for walking difficulties or needing help getting around). A child can be awarded one or both components, each at different rates depending on the level of need assessed.
What are the care component rates for 2026/27?
The care component is paid at three rates โ lowest, middle, and highest โ uprated annually by CPI in April. The specific weekly amounts for 2026/27 are set out in DWP's annual benefit uprating statement; check the current gov.uk rates page for the exact figures, since all DLA rates are reviewed and uprated each April.
What are the mobility component rates for 2026/27?
The mobility component is paid at two rates โ lower and higher โ also uprated annually by CPI. The higher rate mobility component is what also confers automatic Blue Badge eligibility, among other passported benefits.
At what age can a child start receiving the mobility component?
The lower rate mobility component can be claimed from age 5. The higher rate mobility component can be claimed from age 3, reflecting the different thresholds of need the two rates are designed to capture.
How long does a child DLA award last, and what happens at 16?
Awards can be time-limited or, in some cases of clearly lifelong conditions, awarded for longer periods, but all child DLA claims transition to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) once the child turns 16 โ DLA for children cannot continue as DLA into adulthood. This transition process (an 'invitation to claim' PIP) is usually initiated by DWP ahead of the child's 16th birthday, and requires a fresh PIP assessment, meaning entitlement is reassessed against the PIP criteria rather than simply carried over.
Does receiving DLA for a child affect other benefits the family receives?
It can increase entitlement to some other benefits and elements โ for example, DLA can trigger the disabled child addition within Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit (for those still on legacy benefits), and the highest rate care component or higher rate mobility component can unlock additional carer-related support (like Carer's Allowance for a parent providing substantial care) โ so a successful DLA claim is often a gateway to further support, not just a standalone payment.
Is DLA for children taxable?
No โ DLA is entirely tax-free and does not need to be declared as income for tax purposes, regardless of the family's overall income level.
How do I apply for DLA for a child?
Apply via the DLA claim form (available from gov.uk or by phone from the Disability Benefits helpline), which asks detailed questions about the child's care and mobility needs compared with a child of the same age without a disability. Supporting evidence from GPs, consultants, therapists, or school staff who know the child's needs well can strengthen the application significantly.
Try the calculators
Benefit Entitlement Checker (Universal Credit)
Estimate your monthly Universal Credit using 2026/27 standard allowances, child elements and the 55% taper.
Child Benefit Calculator (with HICBC)
Calculate UK Child Benefit for 2025/26 and the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) if any household earner is over ยฃ60,000.
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