How to Claim DLA for a Child: Step-by-Step Application Guide

Your claim date starts with a phone call

Ring the DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600 (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 4600) and ask for a child DLA claim pack. The date of that call becomes your statutory date of claim — provided you return the completed pack within six weeks. DLA cannot be backdated before this date, so call first and fill in the form second.

The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you prefer, you can download form DLA1 Child (ALT) as a PDF from GOV.UK, but the claim date for a downloaded form is the date the DWP receives your posted paperwork, not the date you download it.

In Northern Ireland, contact the Disability and Carers Service or a local Jobs and Benefits office instead. The same six-week return rule applies.

Who can make the claim

A parent, step-parent, guardian, foster carer, or anyone who looks after the child as a parent can request the pack and complete the form. You need to be at least 16 if you're a parent, or 18 if you're a guardian or relative acting in a parental role.

Someone else can help you fill it in, but the person making the claim must sign the declaration themselves if they can. You don't need a formal diagnosis, a social worker's referral, or any professional's permission to start a claim.

What the form covers

The DLA1 Child (ALT) pack runs to about 40 pages, which looks daunting but breaks down into clear sections. The form asks about:

• Your child's conditions and treatments — list everything, including conditions under investigation
• Walking and outdoor mobility — how far they walk before severe discomfort, whether they need guidance or physical support outdoors
• Daytime personal care — help with washing, dressing, eating, taking medication, and staying safe
• Night-time care — how often you wake, what you do, and how long each episode takes
• School and nursery — support your child needs during the school day

The DWP assesses whether your child needs substantially more care or supervision than a child of the same age without a disability. This is a comparative test, not a medical exam.

Evidence to send with the form

Attach supporting documents — but don't pay for new private reports. Useful evidence includes consultant letters, EHCP or SEN support plans, therapy notes, a school SENCO report (from a Learning Support Coordinator in Northern Ireland or an ALNCo in Wales), and prescription records. A 7-to-14-day care diary showing what you do hour by hour, day and night, is one of the strongest pieces of evidence you can provide.

Use an evidence cover sheet listing every document, its date, and who wrote it.

Posting and what happens next

Post the completed pack to Freepost DWP DLA Child — no stamp or postcode needed. Consider using tracked delivery alongside the freepost envelope so you have proof of posting.

The DWP sends a confirmation letter within about three weeks. Most child DLA claims are decided on paper evidence alone, without a face-to-face assessment. The DWP's current planned timescale for new claims is 45 working days in England and Wales; actual waits vary. In Northern Ireland, processing normally takes about 30 working days.

Scotland uses a different benefit

If your child lives in Scotland, child DLA has been replaced by Child Disability Payment (CDP), administered by Social Security Scotland. You'll need to apply through Social Security Scotland rather than the DWP.

Get the full claim toolkit

The Child DLA Claim Guide walks you through every section of the form, includes printable care diary templates, school evidence request letters, and a step-by-step evidence checklist. If you'd rather prepare on your own, Contact (0808 808 3555), Citizens Advice, and Cerebra all offer free guidance.

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