Do I need a diagnosis to get DLA for my child?

No. DLA is based on the help your child needs, not on a particular condition or diagnosis. You can claim while you are waiting for an assessment, or without a diagnosis at all. Supporting evidence can help, but it is not required.

Is DLA means-tested or affected by my income or savings?

No. DLA does not depend on your income or savings, and it is not based on National Insurance contributions. Your work history and household finances do not affect whether your child can get it.

No. DLA is tax-free, and it does not count as income for your other benefits. Getting it does not reduce them.

Does my child need to be on medication?

No. There is no requirement to be on medication or to have any particular condition. What matters is the level of extra care, attention or supervision your child needs, and any difficulty getting around.

Can my child get DLA if they are autistic, have ADHD, or are waiting for an assessment?

Yes. DLA is not tied to any named condition, and no diagnosis is required. It looks at the help your child needs day to day, so you can claim while you are waiting for an assessment.

What does "much more looking after" mean?

The care part looks at whether your child needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability. It is a comparison: a six year old who still needs constant supervision, or help with eating, washing or staying safe, may need much more care than other six year olds.

Will getting DLA reduce our other benefits?

No, and it can increase them. Any rate of DLA can mean you qualify for the disabled child addition in Universal Credit, with a higher amount where the highest rate of the care part applies. If the care part is paid at the middle or highest rate, the person caring for your child may also be able to claim Carer's Allowance, if they care for at least 35 hours a week and are within the earnings limit.

Do I need an EHCP to get DLA, or DLA to get an EHCP?

No. DLA and EHCPs are separate. One is not needed for the other, although each can be useful supporting evidence for the other.

How long does a DLA decision take?

There is no fixed legal deadline for a decision. In practice it usually takes around 3 months. The office may ask you or a professional for more information while it looks at the claim.

What happens when my child turns 16?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, DLA stops at 16 unless your child applies for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) by the date in the letter they are sent. If they apply in time, DLA continues until the PIP claim has been assessed. In Scotland it is Child Disability Payment, which a young person can stay on up to age 18.

We live in Scotland, can we claim DLA?

No. Children in Scotland claim Child Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland instead. It works in a similar way, with a care part and a mobility part.

What is the difference between DLA and PIP?

DLA for children is for under-16s. From 16, young people claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead.

DLA questions and myths

Some of the most common questions families ask about Disability Living Allowance for children, answered plainly and linked to the official sources. DLA covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, children claim Child Disability Payment instead.

Reviewed by SENlens. Last reviewed June 2026. Checked against GOV.UK, Citizens Advice, Contact and Cerebra.

Do I need a diagnosis to get DLA for my child?: No. DLA is based on the help your child needs, not on a particular condition or diagnosis. You can claim while you are waiting for an assessment, or without a diagnosis at all. Supporting evidence can help, but it is not required.
Is DLA means-tested or affected by my income or savings?: No. DLA does not depend on your income or savings, and it is not based on National Insurance contributions. Your work history and household finances do not affect whether your child can get it.
Is DLA taxable?: No. DLA is tax-free, and it does not count as income for your other benefits. Getting it does not reduce them.
Does my child need to be on medication?: No. There is no requirement to be on medication or to have any particular condition. What matters is the level of extra care, attention or supervision your child needs, and any difficulty getting around.
Can my child get DLA if they are autistic, have ADHD, or are waiting for an assessment?: Yes. DLA is not tied to any named condition, and no diagnosis is required. It looks at the help your child needs day to day, so you can claim while you are waiting for an assessment.
What does "much more looking after" mean?: The care part looks at whether your child needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability. It is a comparison: a six year old who still needs constant supervision, or help with eating, washing or staying safe, may need much more care than other six year olds.
Will getting DLA reduce our other benefits?: No, and it can increase them. Any rate of DLA can mean you qualify for the disabled child addition in Universal Credit, with a higher amount where the highest rate of the care part applies. If the care part is paid at the middle or highest rate, the person caring for your child may also be able to claim Carer's Allowance, if they care for at least 35 hours a week and are within the earnings limit.
Do I need an EHCP to get DLA, or DLA to get an EHCP?: No. DLA and EHCPs are separate. One is not needed for the other, although each can be useful supporting evidence for the other.
How long does a DLA decision take?: There is no fixed legal deadline for a decision. In practice it usually takes around 3 months. The office may ask you or a professional for more information while it looks at the claim.
What happens when my child turns 16?: In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, DLA stops at 16 unless your child applies for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) by the date in the letter they are sent. If they apply in time, DLA continues until the PIP claim has been assessed. In Scotland it is Child Disability Payment, which a young person can stay on up to age 18.
We live in Scotland, can we claim DLA?: No. Children in Scotland claim Child Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland instead. It works in a similar way, with a care part and a mobility part.
What is the difference between DLA and PIP?: DLA for children is for under-16s. From 16, young people claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead.

Wondering if your child may qualify? Try the eligibility checker. For more on EHCPs, see our EHCP guide. For Scotland, start at mygov.scot.