Child DLA vs Disability Grants for Children

Families raising a disabled child usually need two different kinds of help: a regular income that covers ongoing extra costs, and lump sums for specific things — a specialist bed, a washing machine, a break away. Disability Living Allowance for children provides the first and is paid regardless of income. Charitable grants provide the second, are usually means-tested, and often expect a benefit award to already be in place. They are not alternatives. This comparison shows how each works and why the order matters.

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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.

Claim the benefit first, then apply for grants

The order genuinely matters. A Disability Living Allowance award for your child is not just an income in itself — it is the document that unlocks almost everything else. Many charitable funders either require it or treat it as strong evidence of need. It can add disability elements to a Universal Credit award, open the door to a carer's benefit for the parent providing care, and support applications for a Blue Badge and other local help. Applying for grants before the benefit is in place often means being turned down for lack of evidence.

No benefit claim yet? Start there. The form is long, but it is the single highest-value thing you can do.
Award in place and a specific item needed? Search the grant databases and apply to several funders — each has its own criteria and its own definition of who counts as low income.
Turned down for the benefit? Challenge it. Decisions are overturned frequently, particularly with evidence from a paediatrician, a school or a therapist.

The mistake families make is underselling the care their child needs because it has become normal to them. The test compares your child with a child of the same age without a disability, so describe the night-time waking, the supervision, the extra time everything takes, and the help needed with things other children of that age manage alone.

Keep a diary for a fortnight before completing any form. It is far more persuasive than recollection.

Frequently asked questions

Will a charitable grant affect our benefits?

One-off charitable payments for a specific item are generally disregarded for means-tested benefits, particularly where the money is paid to a supplier rather than to you. Larger sums or regular payments can be treated differently, and money sitting in your account may count towards capital limits over time. Tell the funder what you need and let them pay the supplier directly where possible, and keep the award letter. If you are unsure, check with a benefits adviser before accepting a large award.

What happens to the benefit when my child turns 16?

Child DLA does not continue into adulthood. Before the sixteenth birthday you will be contacted about claiming the adult disability benefit for your nation, which is assessed against different criteria — so do not assume the same rate carries across. This is also the point to think about who will manage the claim, since the young person becomes the claimant in their own right unless an appointee is put in place. Start the conversation early rather than when the letter arrives.

Where do we look for grants?

Start with the national grant search databases, which let you filter by condition, age and circumstances, and with the large charities that fund equipment and breaks for families with disabled children. Then look locally: many small trusts serve a single county or town and receive far fewer applications. Your child's school, hospital social worker or condition-specific charity often knows about funds that never appear online. Apply to several, because rejection usually reflects limited funds rather than your case.

How long does a grant application take?

It varies enormously. Some funders decide within weeks, others meet quarterly, and most want a supporting letter from a professional such as an occupational therapist, social worker or teacher — which is often the slowest part. Ask for that letter early and keep a copy, because you can usually reuse it. If the need is urgent, say so and ask whether the funder has an emergency route. Never order the item and hope to be reimbursed; most grants will not fund purchases already made.

Related guides

Disability Living Allowance for Children

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 who have a physical or mental disability and need more care, supervision, or help with mobility than a child of the same age without the disability would normally need. It is not means-tested and can be paid on top of other benefits, making it an important source of additional support for families.

10 min

Disability and Accessibility Grants

Disability and accessibility grants in the UK support individuals with disabilities, businesses making their premises accessible, and organisations delivering services for disabled people. Funding comes from government programmes, charitable foundations, and Access to Work — the DWP scheme that helps disabled people participate in employment.

6 min

Disability Benefits Overview

People with disabilities and long-term health conditions in the UK may be entitled to a range of benefits, payments, and services — from personal independence payments and employment support to free bus travel and council tax reductions. This guide maps the main entitlements and how they interact.

11 min

Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance is the main state benefit for unpaid carers in the UK. It is worth £86.45 per week (2026/27) and is paid to people who provide at least 35 hours of care per week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. Despite being the main carer benefit, it has a comparatively low rate and strict earnings rules that catch many carers out.

9 min

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is the main working-age benefit in the UK, replacing six older benefits including Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Cost support. It supports people who are on a low income, out of work, or unable to work due to illness or disability. Understanding how it works can make a significant difference to your financial situation.

12 min

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.