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Often abbreviated to “DLA”, this tax-free benefit is divided into 2 parts, referred to as “components”. DLA is for children and adults who need help with personal care (for the “care component”) or have walking difficulties (for the “mobility component”), or both, because they are physically or mentally disabled.

DLA can be applied for and paid even if the person it is payable to works, and is usually unaffected by income or savings.

Care component

You can apply for DLA care component BEFORE a child is 3 months old, but payments will only commence from the time the child reaches 3 months old.

This care component is split into 3 levels, classed as lowest, middle and highest, depending on the amount of extra care needed. If middle or highest rate is granted, the person providing the care may be eligible to apply for Carers Allowance.

Mobility component

You can claim for this component of benefit if your child is 3 or over and unable, or virtually unable to walk.
Also, children aged 5 or above who require guidance or supervision when walking out of doors (above the usual level for a child of similar age) may be eligible for this component of the allowance.

Tips

The application forms are not nice to fill in, they require alot of information and parents often find them distressing as they are made to focus on all the negative things which their child struggles with.
Many find it very helpful to photocopy these once they are filled in, in case you need to go to appeal, or the award is made for a limited time, in which case the application proceedure has to be done again. Having a copy can be helpful in these cases.