Child DLA vs Disability Grants for Children

Families of disabled children can access both a recurring DWP cash benefit and one-off charitable grants. They serve different purposes and are not mutually exclusive — most families benefit from pursuing both.

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Feature	Child DLA	Disability Grants
Administering body	Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)	Charitable trusts — Family Fund, Newlife Foundation, Scope, Whizz-Kidz, and others
Eligibility basis	Child under 16 with a physical or mental condition requiring substantially more care or supervision than a child of the same age without the condition	Varies by funder — typically families on low income with a disabled or seriously ill child; some funds are condition-specific
Age range	Under 16 (transfers to PIP on 16th birthday)	Usually under 18; some funders extend to young adults up to 25
Means tested	No — paid regardless of family income or savings	Usually yes — most grant programmes require the family to be on a low income or means-tested benefit
Amount and frequency	Weekly recurring payment: care component £28.70–£114.60/week; mobility component £30.30–£80.00/week (2026/27 rates)	One-off lump sums — typically £200–£2,000 per application; amount varies by funder and need
What is covered	General costs arising from the disability — no restrictions on how the money is spent	Specific items or services — adapted equipment, sensory toys, family breaks, washing machines, specialist clothing, vehicle adaptations
Application process	DLA claim form (DLA1 Child) completed by parent or guardian; sent to DWP Disability Service Centre	Separate application to each funder; forms vary; supporting evidence from health or education professionals usually required
Time to decision	Typically 10–16 weeks from application to first payment	Varies widely — Family Fund typically 8–12 weeks; smaller trusts may take longer or have infrequent award rounds
Ongoing review	Fixed-period awards with planned review dates; change of circumstances must be reported	No ongoing review — each grant is self-contained; families can reapply in future funding rounds
Appeal route	Mandatory Reconsideration then First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber)	No statutory appeal right — funders may have internal review processes; seek advice from a grants adviser
Taxable or affects benefits	Not taxable; can increase Universal Credit (disabled child element) and passport to Carer's Allowance	Not taxable as income; charitable grants are generally disregarded for means-tested benefit purposes (check with DWP if uncertain)
Can you receive both	Yes — receiving DLA does not disqualify a family from applying for grants	Yes — grant funders often require (or prefer) that DLA has already been claimed

Always claim Child DLA first — award of DLA is required or preferred by many grant funders and unlocks additional UC elements. Contact Turn2Us grant search or Family Fund directly for the most up-to-date eligibility criteria.

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Disclaimer

The information on this page was correct at the time of writing. Amounts, thresholds, and rules may change. Always check the latest official guidance.