DLA Rates for a Child with Autism: Claiming Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance, or DLA, for children is a tax-free benefit that provides financial help with the extra costs of looking after a child who has difficulty walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability. 

It is the primary disability benefit for children under the age of sixteen in the UK. 

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, are very often eligible for DLA because their condition frequently requires substantially more care, attention, and supervision than their typically developing peers. 

The point when claiming DLA is that eligibility is based on the child’s needs, not their specific medical diagnosis. 

DLA is not means-tested, meaning the parents’ income or savings do not affect entitlement. 

The total weekly amount is determined by the specific rates awarded for its two parts, known as components.

What are the two components of Disability Living Allowance for children?

DLA for children is made up of two distinct parts, and your child might qualify for one or both, depending on their level of need.

1. Care Component: This component is based on how much extra care and supervision your child needs during the day or night due to their condition, compared to a child of the same age without a disability.
2. Mobility Component: This component is based on the child’s ability to walk and how difficult they find it to get around in unfamiliar places.

Each component is paid at different rates, reflecting the varying levels of support required. 

A child’s needs related to autism can often lead to an award in both of these components.

What are the weekly rates for the DLA care component?

The care component of DLA has three rates, and the amount awarded is based on the frequency and type of extra help or supervision your child requires:

1. Highest Rate: £110.40 per week. This is awarded if the child needs help or supervision frequently throughout both the day and the night.
2. Middle Rate: £73.90 per week. This is awarded if the child needs frequent help or continual supervision throughout the day, or needs help or watching over for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals at night.
3. Lowest Rate: £29.20 per week. This is awarded if the child needs help with personal care for a significant portion of the day, which usually means at least an hour on most days.

Many children with autism qualify for the middle or highest rate due to their need for constant supervision to avoid danger, or for extensive help with bodily functions and personal care that is substantially more than a non disabled child of the same age would need.

At what age can a child receive the DLA mobility component?

The age at which a child can start to receive the mobility component depends on the rate being claimed.

1. The Higher Rate of the mobility component is available from the age of three years old.
2. The Lower Rate of the mobility component is available from the age of five years old.

This means that while the care component can be claimed from three months old, or from birth under special rules, the mobility component is only introduced once the child reaches these specific age thresholds.

What are the weekly rates for the DLA mobility component?

The mobility component of DLA has two rates, and the amount is based on the level of difficulty your child has with getting around:

1. Higher Rate: £77.05 per week. This is typically awarded to a child aged three or over who is unable to walk, or virtually unable to walk, or whose health would be seriously affected by walking. It can also be awarded to children with a severe mental impairment who exhibit severe behavioural problems and require substantial supervision outdoors.
2. Lower Rate: £29.20 per week. This is awarded to a child aged five or over who can walk but needs substantially more guidance or supervision outdoors than a child of the same age who does not have a disability.

For many children with autism, the claim will focus on the need for guidance and supervision outdoors to prevent danger, which is a key area where ASD affects mobility needs.

How can a child with Autism qualify for the highest rate of the mobility component?

A child with autism can qualify for the highest rate of the mobility component through the severe mental impairment rules. 

To meet this criterion, the child must meet several strict conditions, including:

1. Entitlement to the highest rate of the care component.
2. Having a state of arrested or incomplete physical development of the brain, which is generally accepted to include Autism Spectrum Disorder.
3. The condition must result in severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning.
4. The child must exhibit extreme and disruptive behaviour that regularly requires physical restraint to prevent injury or property damage.
5. Their behaviour must be so unpredictable that they need constant supervision whenever they are awake.

Meeting all these conditions is challenging but provides a route to a higher rate of mobility for children with severe behavioural difficulties.

What is the most important thing to include in a DLA claim for Autism?

The most important thing to include is detailed, specific evidence that demonstrates that your child needs substantially more care and attention than a non disabled child of the same age.

You must not assume the DWP knows how autism affects your child.

1. Focus on the ‘extra’ care: Explain the exact time spent and the nature of the help, such as constant supervision to prevent running away, or the physical help needed for feeding and dressing.
2. Use a diary: Keep a diary for a week or two, logging every instance of help, supervision, or attention required due to your child’s autism.
3. Get professional support: Include reports from their paediatrician, speech therapist, occupational therapist, or their school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.

You should use detailed examples rather than just ticking boxes on the long and comprehensive claim form.

Does DLA affect other benefits for the parents?

Yes, receiving DLA for your child can have a positive effect on other benefits you may be claiming. 

If your child is awarded the DLA care component at the middle or highest rate, you may qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for them. 

Furthermore, receiving DLA at any rate may increase the amount you receive from means-tested benefits like Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, and Tax Credits through what is known as the disabled child element, which provides extra financial support for the family.