PIP for Children Under 16 - What Benefits Can Your Child Get?

Children under 16 cannot claim PIP. Instead, they claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children. DLA is a separate benefit with different rules, but serves a similar purpose - providing financial support for disabled children and their families.

DLA for Children vs PIP

DLA for children has two components, like PIP:

• Care component - three rates: lower (£29.20/week), middle (£73.90/week), and higher (£110.40/week)
• Mobility component - two rates: lower (£29.20/week) and higher (£77.05/week). The higher rate is only available from age 3, and the lower rate from age 5.

Unlike PIP, DLA doesn't use a points system or descriptors. Instead, it compares your child's needs with those of a non-disabled child of the same age. If your child needs substantially more help or supervision than other children their age, they may qualify.

When Does DLA Change to PIP?

When your child approaches their 16th birthday, the DWP will write to invite them to claim PIP. Their DLA continues until a PIP decision is made. The PIP assessment uses different criteria (the 12 activities and descriptors), so the award may change.

Common Conditions in Children's DLA Claims

The most common conditions include autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, type 1 diabetes, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and severe allergies. For any of these, the key is describing how much extra help your child needs compared to other children the same age.

How to Claim DLA for Your Child

Call 0800 121 4600 to request a claim form. The form is long (around 40 pages) but thorough. For each question, compare what your child needs with what a non-disabled child of the same age would need. Don't describe what your child CAN do - describe what extra help they need.

What DLA Unlocks

Like PIP, DLA can unlock additional support:

• Carer's Allowance for you if you provide 35+ hours of care per week
• Carer element of Universal Credit
• Blue Badge (higher rate mobility)
• Motability (higher rate mobility, from age 3)
• Council tax reduction
• Additional UC payments

Frequently Asked Questions

My child was diagnosed at school. Is that too late to claim?

No. You can claim DLA at any age from birth to 15. There's no requirement to have been diagnosed early. Many children with autism, ADHD, or learning difficulties aren't diagnosed until school age - claim as soon as you realise they need significantly more help than other children their age.

My child manages well at school. Can I still claim?

School is a structured environment with professional support. What matters for DLA is what help your child needs OUTSIDE school - at home, during holidays, overnight. Many children mask their difficulties at school and fall apart at home. Describe the home reality.