How to Fill in the Child DLA Form: Tips for Every Section

Before you start writing

Gather your child's medical letters, therapy reports, EHCP or SEN support plan, prescription records, and any other documents that describe their condition and daily needs. Have your care diary ready — or start one now and fill in the form after a week of recording. Read through the entire form once before you write anything, so you know which sections are coming and can avoid repeating yourself.

Use a pencil for your first pass if you prefer, then go over it in black ink. If you need more space for any answer, use extra sheets with your child's full name and National Insurance number (if they have one) at the top of each page.

Conditions and treatments (Question 40)

List every condition, diagnosed or not. If your child is on an NHS waiting list for an autism or ADHD assessment, write something like "developmental delay and suspected autism spectrum condition — under investigation, referred [date]." Include all medications, therapies, and interventions, noting how often your child needs help to take or use them.

Don't leave anything out because it seems minor. Eczema that needs daily creaming, anxiety that prevents independent toileting, asthma that requires monitoring — it all contributes to the overall picture of care.

Aids and equipment (Question 41)

List everything your child uses or needs: orthotics, hearing aids, special seating, bed rails, PECS cards, weighted blankets, continence products. For each item, explain the human help required — fitting orthotics every morning, prompting use of communication aids, changing continence pads.

Good days and bad days (Question 42)

Be honest about fluctuation. Describe what a typical day looks like and what a bad day looks like, how often bad days happen, and what triggers them. Decision-makers assess needs across a representative period, not just the worst or best day.

Walking and outdoor mobility (Questions 43-53)

Focus on the distance your child can walk before severe discomfort sets in — pain, breathlessness, distress, or refusal. The form asks whether walking takes twice as long as for a child of the same age, but that's a question on the form, not a universal test for all tasks.

For children who bolt into traffic, lack hazard awareness, or panic in unfamiliar environments, question 49 is where you describe the guidance or supervision they need when walking outdoors.

Daytime personal care (Questions 54-69)

This is the core of the care component. For each activity — washing, dressing, toileting, eating, medication, therapy — describe exactly what help you give, how long it takes, and how it compares to what a non-disabled child of the same age would need.

Be specific: "I dress him completely every morning — he can't manage buttons, zips, or socks, and won't tolerate certain fabrics. This takes 20 minutes versus 5 minutes for a child without sensory issues."

School needs (Question 68)

Describe the support your child receives during lessons, breaktimes, lunch, and transitions. Attach the EHCP, IEP, or SEN support plan. If your child masks at school and then falls apart at home, explain that pattern — the evening and night-time care it generates is just as relevant.

Night-time care (Question 70)

Record exactly how many times you attend to your child after the household goes to bed, what you do each time, and how long it takes. Settling routines, night waking, medication, seizure monitoring, bedwetting, comfort after night terrors — all of it counts.

The declaration

The person making the claim must sign and date the form themselves if they can. A relative, friend, or advice-centre worker can help with the form. Double-check that every extra sheet is signed, dated, and has your child's details at the top.

Get section-by-section guidance

The Child DLA Claim Guide maps every question on the DLA1 Child form to practical tips and worked examples, with printable worksheets for organising your answers before you write on the official form. Free help is also available from Contact (0808 808 3555), Cerebra, and Citizens Advice.

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