If your child is physically or mentally disabled or has a long lasting illness, you may be able to claim benefits for him or her. You may also be entitled to a new or increased benefit for yourself as their parent or carer.
Make sure you read the information on all the pages in this section - follow 'next' at the bottom of the pages
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
This is the key benefit for children who are sick or disabled. Claim if your child has problems with walking or needs far more care or watching over than a child of the same age who is not sick or disabled.
DLA for Mobility
Claim if your child is age five or over AND:
- cannot walk at all OR
- can only walk short distances without pain or discomfort OR
- can walk but because of health or behaviour problems needs someone with them to walk outside
Claim if your child is age three or four years AND
- cannot walk at all OR
- can only walk short distances without pain or discomfort
You can use DLA for Mobility in any way you choose to help you get your child out and about. It may also entitle you to buy or lease a car through the Motability Scheme, to exemption from Road Tax and to the Blue Badge for parking close to shops.
DLA for Care
Claim if your child is over three months of age AND
- needs a lot doing for him / her OR
- cannot be left alone in a room for a few minutes
Tip: DLA is not taxed and can be paid on top of any weekly money you have already such as wages, maintenance and other benefits.
Find out more about Disability Living Allowance including how to claim and how much you can get.
You can also read information from MENCAP about Disability Living Allowance for people with learning disabilities (external website).
You can look at the information written by Coventry Law Centre (these are in pdf format):
Disability Living Allowance for under 16 year olds (external website)
Disability Living Allowance for under 16 year olds with a visual impairment (external website)
Once your child starts getting DLA you may find that you become eligible for other benefits such as Carer's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Get help from a Benefits Adviser to find out. If you are already receiving benefits or tax credits, you may be entitled to more money. Follow 'next' for more information.
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