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Disability Living Allowance Claim Form (Child): Disability Living Allowance for a child under 16 (claim form)
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DLA1 Child (ALT) in short
This is the claim form for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for a child under 16 who lives in England or Wales. DLA helps with the extra costs of looking after a child who needs much more looking after than other children of the same age, or who has difficulty walking. You print and fill in the form, or ask the DLA helpline to post you one.
| Issued by | Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) |
|---|---|
| Current version | Rev. October 2025 (Version 7.0) (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | A parent, or someone who looks after the child as if they were their parent, such as a step-parent, guardian, grandparent, foster-parent or older brother or sister. The notes say a parent must be at least 16 and a guardian or relative acting as a parent at least 18. |
| Who receives it | The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). |
| Where to send it | Freepost DWP DLA Child. gov.uk says not to write anything else on the envelope; you do not need a postcode or a stamp. If you received a paper form, you can use the envelope that came with it. |
| Deadline | No fixed deadline, but gov.uk says DLA cannot be backdated. The claim starts on the date the form is received, or the date you called the helpline if you return the claim pack within 6 weeks. |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF · Official instructions |
What changed
The current PDF is dated 10/25. gov.uk says children in Scotland apply for Child Disability Payment instead of DLA, and the form asks whether the child has moved from Scotland or claimed Child Disability Payment.
How to fill out DLA1 Child (ALT), line by line
| Question 1 | Special rules Tick yes if the child is nearing the end of life. You then skip the care questions 54 to 72. Send an SR1 form from the child's doctor or specialist if you can. |
| Questions 2 to 20 | About the child The child's names in block capitals, National Insurance number if they have one, date of birth, address, nationality, where they live, any move from Scotland or abroad, and time abroad in the last 3 years. |
| Questions 21 to 37 | Hospital stays, professionals, GP and school Tell DWP about hospital stays, assessments, reports, the professionals who see the child, the child's GP, and their school or nursery with a contact there. |
| Question 38 | Statement from someone who knows the child Optional. A health professional, social worker, teacher or carer can describe the child's difficulties. They must sign the declaration on page 11. |
| Question 39 | Sharing information Say yes or no to the child's doctor and other professionals giving DWP more information, then sign. If you say no, DWP decides with the information it already has. |
| Questions 40 and 41 | Health conditions and aids List each condition or disability, even without a diagnosis, with medicines and treatments, and any aids or equipment the child uses. |
| Question 42 | When the child needs help Say whether the child's needs are the same on most days or change from day to day, and describe how they change. |
| Questions 43 to 53 | Mobility needs Questions about walking, walking speed, falls, and guidance or supervision outdoors. The form says mobility can only be awarded from age 3, so skip to question 54 if the child is under 3. |
| Questions 54 to 72 | Daily living and care needs Questions about help with things like washing, dressing, eating, toilet needs, seeing, hearing, speaking, seizures, supervision and sleep, compared with a child of the same age. Question 71 asks when the difficulties started. |
| Questions 73 to 83 | About you Your own details as the person claiming: name, date of birth, National Insurance number, address, contact details, relationship to the child, nationality and Income Support. |
| Questions 84 to 89 | Payment details and more information Account details for payment, then anything else DWP should know at question 89, including why a claim is late or what evidence you are still waiting for. |
| Page 38 | Declaration The person in About you signs, prints their name and dates the declaration. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not signing the declaration on page 38 or the information sharing statement at question 39.
- The person who signs the declaration is not the person whose details are in About you.
- Leaving out details of the child's GP at question 26 or other professionals at question 25.
- Sending original documents, appointment cards, fact sheets or CDs and memory sticks. The form says to send copies only.
- Not writing the child's name and National Insurance number on supporting documents and extra sheets.
- Holding the form back while waiting for evidence. The notes say to send it on time and list what you are waiting for at question 89.
- Filling in the form in a web browser or Preview on a Mac. gov.uk says to use a PDF reader on a desktop or laptop computer.
- Claiming for a child aged 16 or over, or a child living in Scotland. They need PIP or Child Disability Payment instead.
Questions about DLA1 Child (ALT)
Can I apply for child DLA online?
No. gov.uk says you apply by printing and filling in the claim form, or by phoning the DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600 to ask for a printed form.
How much is DLA for children?
On the date we checked, gov.uk lists weekly rates from £30.30 to £194.60. It is made up of a care component and a mobility component, and the child may get one or both.
How long must the child have had the difficulties?
gov.uk says the child must usually have had the difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to last at least 6 months. This does not apply if the child is nearing the end of life.
Is there a minimum age for the mobility component?
Yes. gov.uk says the child must be 3 or over for the higher mobility rate and 5 or over for the lower mobility rate.
Can I fill in the form on my phone?
No. gov.uk says you cannot complete it on a mobile phone or tablet. Use a desktop or laptop with a PDF reader, or print it and fill it in by hand in black ink.
What happens after I send it?
gov.uk says you will get a letter within 3 weeks confirming your application, and another letter once a decision is made.
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Sources
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the Department for Work and Pensions or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-living-allowance-for-children-claim-form
- https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children
- https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/rates
- https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility
- https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/how-to-claim
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69271ecfb3b9afff34e96074/dla-for-children-claim-form.pdf
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69271ee19c1eda2cdf03410a/notes-on-how-to-fill-in-the-dla-claim-form-for-children.pdf
- https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/