# DLA for autistic children: a plain-English guide (2026/27) > Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 in England and Wales who need much more looking after than other children their age, or who have difficulty getting about. Your child does not need an autism diagnosis to qualify, and your income does not affect it. In 2026/27 it pays between £30.30 and £194.60 a week. - Canonical page: https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/dla-for-autistic-children - Publisher: Rocks Make Pebbles (https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk) - Topic: Family, money and support - Applies to: England and Wales - Last updated: 28 September 2026. Checked against sources: 28 September 2026 - Professional review: Not yet reviewed (waiting for review by a welfare rights adviser) - Drafted with the help of AI tools and checked against the sources listed below. Editorial policy: https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/editorial-policy ## Key points - You can claim DLA without an autism diagnosis. It depends on how much extra care, supervision or help getting about your child needs. - In 2026/27, DLA pays between £30.30 and £194.60 a week, depending on the rates awarded. - DLA cannot be backdated. Phone 0800 121 4600 for a form, then send it back within 6 weeks. - On the form, describe bad days fully, say how often help is needed and compare your child with children the same age. - If you disagree with the decision, ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within one month. - A DLA award can lead to other help, such as Carer's Allowance, extra Universal Credit and a Blue Badge. ## What is DLA, and can my autistic child get it? [Disability Living Allowance (DLA)](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#dla) for children is a benefit for children under 16 who need much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability, or who have difficulty walking ([GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children)). It is tax-free ([GOV.UK, DLA rates](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/rates)), and you can claim it whether you are in or out of work ([GOV.UK, DLA eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility)). DLA has two parts. Your child can get one or both: - the **care component**, for children who need extra help or supervision - the **mobility component**, for children who need help getting about There is no rule that autistic children do or do not get DLA. It depends on your child's needs, not on their diagnosis. The charity Contact says "You don't need to wait for a formal diagnosis to make a claim", but you must show that your child "needs substantially more care or supervision than other children of the same age" ([Contact](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/)). Scope agrees: "Your child does not need a diagnosis to claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA)" ([Scope](https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/find-support-services-before-child-diagnosed)). So you can claim while you wait for an autism assessment. The care component can be paid from 3 months old ([Contact](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/)). GOV.UK says your child must also ([DLA eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility)): - be under 16 - have had their difficulties for at least 3 months, and be expected to have them for at least 6 months - live in England or Wales when you claim, and meet residence rules that depend on their age A parent, or someone who looks after the child as a parent, can claim. That includes step-parents, guardians, grandparents, foster parents and older brothers or sisters ([GOV.UK, how to claim](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/how-to-claim)). > **Myth:** "An autism diagnosis means you automatically get DLA." It does not. The National Autistic Society says a diagnosis "will not automatically lead to an award" ([National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/benefits-and-money/benefits/benefits-you-can-get/benefits-for-autistic-children)). What counts is the extra care and supervision your child needs, which the form asks you to describe. ## How much is DLA in 2026/27? In 2026/27, DLA pays between £30.30 and £194.60 a week, depending on which rates your child gets. It is usually paid every 4 weeks, on a Tuesday ([GOV.UK, DLA rates](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/rates)). | Part of DLA | Rate | Weekly amount (2026/27) | Who it is for | |---|---|---|---| | Care | Lowest | £30.30 | Needs help for some of the day | | Care | Middle | £76.70 | Needs frequent help or continual supervision during the day, or supervision at night | | Care | Highest | £114.60 | Needs help or supervision throughout both day and night | | Mobility | Lower | £30.30 | Can walk but needs help or supervision outdoors; age 5 or over | | Mobility | Higher | £80.00 | Cannot walk, or has severe walking difficulties, among other routes; age 3 or over | The amounts come from [GOV.UK's rates page](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/rates), and the descriptions from its [eligibility page](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility). The highest care rate is also paid to children nearing the end of their life. The most a child can get is the highest care rate plus the higher mobility rate: £194.60 a week. ## Can my autistic child get the mobility part? Possibly. The lower mobility rate can be paid from age 5, and the higher rate from age 3. If you claim DLA for a child younger than this, GOV.UK says you should be sent a claim pack 6 months before they turn 3 and 6 months before they turn 5 ([GOV.UK, DLA eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility)). For the lower rate, Contact says children need "extra guidance or supervision out of doors" ([Contact, higher rate mobility](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/claiming-dla-higher-rate-mobility/)). On the form, describe what happens when you are out: near roads, in shops, or somewhere new. For the higher rate, Contact explains that an autistic child can qualify in two ways: by being "virtually unable to walk", or through the rules on "a severe mental impairment and behavioural problems". For the second route, your child must meet all five of these legal tests ([Contact](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/claiming-dla-higher-rate-mobility/)): 1. They are entitled to the highest rate of the care component. 2. They have "a state of arrested development, or incomplete physical development of the brain" with "a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning". Contact says case law (decision CDLA/1678/1997) accepted that a diagnosed autistic child meets the "arrested development" part. 3. Their behaviour is disruptive, and the disruption is extreme. 4. Another person regularly has to physically restrain them to prevent injury to themselves or others, or damage to property. 5. Their behaviour is so unpredictable that someone has to be present and watching over them whenever they are awake. This is legal wording, and it can be hard to read about your child in these terms. Describe what really happens, and get advice if you are unsure. ## How do I claim DLA for my child? Start as soon as you can, because DLA cannot be backdated ([GOV.UK, how to claim](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/how-to-claim)). 1. **Phone for a form.** Call the DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600 (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 4600), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You can also print the form from GOV.UK. 2. **Note the date you called.** If you phoned for the form and return it within 6 weeks, your claim starts from the date of your call. Otherwise it starts on the date the form arrives. Contact suggests phoning rather than downloading the form for this reason ([Contact](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/)). 3. **Keep a diary for a week** before you fill in the form (see the tips below). 4. **Fill in the form** with real examples. 5. **Add any reports you already have**, such as letters from your health visitor, GP, nursery, school or therapists. Do not delay your claim waiting for new ones. 6. **Copy everything**, then post it before the 6 weeks are up. 7. **Look out for a letter.** You should get one confirming your claim within 3 weeks. > **Try this:** Write the date you phoned on the front of the form pack, and set a reminder on your phone for 5 weeks later. That leaves time to post it before the 6-week deadline. ## How do I fill in the DLA form? Write as if the reader has never met your child, because they haven't. Contact points out that the decision is made "by someone who has never seen your child" ([Contact, tips on the DLA form](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/tips-on-completing-the-dla-form/)). These tips come from Contact's guide: 1. **Keep a diary for a week first.** Note every time your child needs help or watching, day and night: dressing, eating, toileting, washing, keeping safe, calming down, getting to sleep and waking in the night. 2. **Describe the hard days.** If your child's needs change from day to day, use "bad days" and "better days" rather than "good days". Describe the bad days fully. 3. **Say how often your child needs help, not how often they get it.** For example, "needs someone with her every time she uses the toilet, about 6 times a day". 4. **Compare your child with children the same age.** Contact says "the younger your child is, the more important it is" to explain how the supervision they need is greater than, or different from, another child of their age. 5. **Include the nights.** Contact counts night as the time from when you go to bed until you get up, so include times you stay up late or get up to help your child. 6. **Give examples, not just ticks.** Use the extra text boxes (Contact points to pages 19, 34 and 37 of the child form) and add extra sheets if you need them. 7. **Take your time.** Contact suggests not trying to finish the form in one go, and reading it all the way through before you start writing. The charity Cerebra also publishes a free step-by-step guide to the DLA form ([Cerebra](https://cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/)). ## What happens after I send the form? You should get a letter confirming your claim within 3 weeks, and later a decision letter ([GOV.UK, how to claim](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/how-to-claim)). We could not find an official figure for how long decisions are taking in 2026. If you disagree with the decision, including the rates awarded: 1. **Ask for a mandatory reconsideration.** This means asking the Department for Work and Pensions to look at the decision again. You usually need to ask within one month of the date of the decision ([GOV.UK, mandatory reconsideration](https://www.gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration)). 2. **Appeal if you still disagree.** You can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal within one month of getting the reconsideration decision. It is free to appeal ([GOV.UK, appeal a benefit decision](https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision)). Once your child gets DLA, tell the Department for Work and Pensions about changes, such as a change in your child's needs, a stay in hospital, going abroad for more than 4 weeks, or starting at a residential school ([GOV.UK, changes to report](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/changes-you-need-to-report)). ## What else can DLA help us get? A DLA award can help your family get other support, and the rate matters. Amounts are for 2026/27. | If your child gets | You may be able to get | Source | |---|---|---| | Any rate of DLA | Extra Universal Credit for a disabled child: £164.79 a month, or £514.71 with the highest care rate | [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get) | | Any rate of DLA, at age 2 | 15 hours a week of funded early education, for 38 weeks a year (England) | [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds-extra-support) | | DLA, and uses funded early years hours | The Disability Access Fund: at least £975 a year paid to your child's early years setting (England) | [DfE](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-funding-2026-to-2027/early-years-entitlements-local-authority-funding-operational-guide-2026-to-2027) | | Any rate of DLA | Tax-Free Childcare at the disabled child rate, if you work: up to £4,000 a year | [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare) | | Middle or highest care rate | Carer's Allowance (£86.45 a week) if you care 35 hours a week or more and meet the other rules | [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility) | | Middle or highest care rate | Carer's Credit (National Insurance credits) if you care 20 hours a week or more | [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/carers-credit/eligibility) | | Higher mobility rate | An automatic Blue Badge in England (age 3 or over), the Motability Scheme and vehicle tax exemption | [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge); [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vehicles-and-transport) | | Middle or highest care, or either mobility rate | A Disabled Persons Railcard | [Disabled Persons Railcard](https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/) | A DLA award letter is also accepted as evidence for the [CEA Card](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#cea-card) for cinemas, from age 5 ([CEA Card](https://www.ceacard.co.uk/eligibility)), and for a free carer pass for Merlin theme park annual passholders ([Merlin Annual Pass](https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/important-information/passholder-help/passholder-accessibility/)). Our guide to [money and practical help](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/money-and-practical-help) covers these and more. > **Good to know:** Keep copies of your DLA award letters, on paper and on your phone. Many schemes ask to see one, and Merlin asks for proof dated within the last 24 months. ## What happens when my child turns 16? At 16, DLA is replaced by [Personal Independence Payment (PIP)](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#pip). Shortly after your child's 16th birthday, they will get a letter inviting them to apply. DLA stops unless they apply by the date in the letter. If they do apply, DLA carries on until the PIP claim has been assessed. If your child cannot manage their own benefits, you can apply to be their appointee ([GOV.UK, when your child turns 16](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/when-your-child-turns-16)). In 2026/27, PIP pays £76.70 or £114.60 a week for daily living, and £30.30 or £80 a week for mobility. It is tax free, and GOV.UK says "The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings" ([GOV.UK, PIP rates](https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-much-youll-get)). Rules and rates can change, so check GOV.UK as your child nears 16. > **Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland:** DLA for children covers England and Wales. In Scotland, you apply for [Child Disability Payment](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#child-disability-payment) instead. You can apply without a diagnosis, and the weekly rates are the same as DLA ([mygov.scot](https://www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment)). If you move to Scotland, DLA carries on for up to 13 weeks ([GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children)). Northern Ireland has its own DLA for children, with a separate claim route ([GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility)). ## Where can I get help with a DLA claim? You do not have to fill in the form alone. Free help includes: - **[Contact](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#contact):** a free helpline on 0808 808 3555 for families with a disabled child anywhere in the UK, including help with benefits ([Contact](https://contact.org.uk/about-contact/contact-us/)). - **[Cerebra](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#cerebra):** a free step-by-step guide to the DLA form ([Cerebra](https://cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/)). - **[Citizens Advice](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#citizens-advice):** the Adviceline in England is 0800 144 8848 ([Citizens Advice](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/)). - **The DLA helpline:** 0800 121 4600, for forms and questions about your claim. ## Questions parents ask ### Can I claim DLA for my autistic child without a diagnosis? Yes. DLA depends on the extra care, supervision or help getting about that your child needs, not on a diagnosis. The charity Contact says you do not need to wait for a formal diagnosis, but you must show that your child needs substantially more care or supervision than other children of the same age. You can claim while you wait for an autism assessment. A diagnosis on its own does not guarantee an award. ### How much is DLA for an autistic child in 2026/27? It depends on the rates your child is awarded, not on autism itself. In 2026/27 the care part pays £30.30, £76.70 or £114.60 a week, and the mobility part pays £30.30 or £80.00 a week. In total, DLA pays between £30.30 and £194.60 a week. It is tax-free and is usually paid every 4 weeks. ### Does our income or savings affect DLA? No. DLA for children is not means-tested, and you can claim it whether you are in or out of work. It is also tax-free. A DLA award can also mean your family qualifies for other help, such as Carer's Allowance, extra Universal Credit or 15 hours of funded early education for a 2 year old in England. ### Can DLA be backdated? No. GOV.UK says DLA cannot be backdated. Your claim starts on the date the form arrives, or on the date you phoned the DLA helpline if you send the form back within 6 weeks. That is why the charity Contact suggests phoning 0800 121 4600 for a form, and not waiting for every report before you claim. ### How long does a DLA claim take? GOV.UK says you should get a letter confirming your claim within 3 weeks. We could not find an official figure for how long decisions are taking in 2026. What you can control is the start date: if you phone for the form and return it within 6 weeks, payment can run from the date of your call. Keep a copy of everything you send. ### We were turned down for DLA. What can we do? Ask the Department for Work and Pensions to look at the decision again. This is called a mandatory reconsideration, and you usually need to ask within one month of the date of the decision. If you still disagree, you can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal within one month of getting the reconsideration decision. Appealing is free. Contact and Citizens Advice can help. ### Can my autistic child get the higher rate mobility part of DLA? Sometimes. The higher mobility rate can be paid from age 3. Contact explains that autistic children can qualify through the severe mental impairment rules, which need the highest care rate plus four other strict tests, including needing someone to watch over them whenever they are awake. The lower mobility rate starts at age 5. Contact's guide explains each test. ### What happens to DLA when my child turns 16? Shortly after their 16th birthday, your child will get a letter inviting them to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP). DLA stops unless they apply by the date in the letter. If they do apply, DLA carries on until the PIP claim has been assessed. If your child cannot manage their own benefits, you can apply to be their appointee. ## Sources 1. [Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children), GOV.UK 2. [DLA for children: rates](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/rates), GOV.UK 3. [DLA for children: eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility), GOV.UK 4. [DLA for children: how to claim](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/how-to-claim), GOV.UK 5. [DLA for children: changes you need to report](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/changes-you-need-to-report), GOV.UK 6. [DLA for children: when your child turns 16](https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/when-your-child-turns-16), GOV.UK 7. [Challenging a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration)](https://www.gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration), GOV.UK 8. [Appeal a benefit decision](https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision), GOV.UK 9. [Personal Independence Payment (PIP): how much you'll get](https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-much-youll-get), GOV.UK 10. [Disability Living Allowance](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/), Contact 11. [Tips on completing the DLA form](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/tips-on-completing-the-dla-form/), Contact 12. [Claiming DLA higher rate mobility](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/claiming-dla-higher-rate-mobility/), Contact, 18 June 2026 13. [Support for a child without a diagnosis](https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/find-support-services-before-child-diagnosed), Scope, 15 July 2026 14. [Benefits for autistic children](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/benefits-and-money/benefits/benefits-you-can-get/benefits-for-autistic-children), National Autistic Society, 14 December 2020 15. [Carer's Allowance: eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility), GOV.UK 16. [Carer's Credit: eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/carers-credit/eligibility), GOV.UK 17. [Universal Credit: what you'll get](https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get), GOV.UK 18. [15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds](https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds-extra-support), GOV.UK 19. [Early years entitlements: local authority funding operational guide 2026 to 2027](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-funding-2026-to-2027/early-years-entitlements-local-authority-funding-operational-guide-2026-to-2027), Department for Education, 2026 20. [Tax-Free Childcare](https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare), GOV.UK 21. [Who can get a Blue Badge?](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge), GOV.UK, 10 August 2021 22. [Financial help if you're disabled: vehicles and transport](https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vehicles-and-transport), GOV.UK 23. [Disabled Persons Railcard: are you eligible?](https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/), Disabled Persons Railcard 24. [CEA Card eligibility](https://www.ceacard.co.uk/eligibility), CEA Card 25. [Passholder accessibility and Ride Access Pass](https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/important-information/passholder-help/passholder-accessibility/), Merlin Annual Pass 26. [Child Disability Payment](https://www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment), mygov.scot 27. [Get advice and support](https://cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/), Cerebra 28. [Get in touch](https://contact.org.uk/about-contact/contact-us/), Contact 29. [Contact us](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/), Citizens Advice --- General information for families in the UK, not medical, legal or financial advice. If you are worried about your child's health, contact your GP or call NHS 111 (in Northern Ireland, your GP out of hours service). In an emergency, call 999.