Disability Living Allowance can be claimed by the person responsible for a child whose care/supervision needs are substantially in excess of a child of the same age who does not have a disability or for the lower rate mobility component substantially more supervision whilst outside walking than other children. DLA is made up of two components, a care component and a mobility component. The child would have needed the extra help for at least 3 months and will need it for a further 6 months. If the child is terminally ill this backward and forward test does not apply and the ‘substantially in excess’ rule does not apply for the care component
Conditions of Entitlement
Care Component
The care component is paid if the child needs substantially more help with ‘bodily functions’ than another child of a similar age who does not have a disability. ‘Bodily functions’ are speaking, hearing, seeing, sleeping, getting up or going to bed, dressing, bathing, toileting, sitting, moving about, eating, drinking or dealing with medication or therapy.
Or the child needs substantially more supervision i.e. somebody to keep an eye on them to stop them being a danger to themselves or others.
It is paid at three rates. The high rate is paid if the child needs help throughout the day and night. The middle rate is paid if the child needs help either during the day or at night. The low rate is paid if the child needs care (but not supervision) for part of the day.
Mobility Component
The mobility component has two rates, the rules are different for both rates. Although there isn’t a specified distance the guideline is approximately 50 metres.
The high rate is not paid until a child is 3 or over and is for children who have physical difficulties walking or they are unable to walk. Or the child has severe behavioural problems and is in receipt of high rate care component. Or they have severe behavioural problems due to a physical cause, these may include Down’s Syndrome or Autism.
The low rate is paid to children who are 5 or over, who can walk but need extra guidance or supervision outside. It doesn’t matter if they do not need extra help in a place they know well, as long as they need help in places that they do not know well. For example they may have fits or asthma attacks.
When filling in the form a picture needs to be painted of the child’s needs, therefore it is a good idea for the parent/carer to keep a comprehensive diary of the child’s needs.
ADVICE & HELP
Welfare Rights Unit
Telephone Advice Service
01708 434444
Email WelfareRightsUnit@havering.gov.uk
Havering Citizens Advice Bureau:
Victoria Road Bureau
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 09.00am – 12.30pm,
1pm – 3pm (information only)
Harold Hill Library
Hilldene Avenue
Mondays 10am - 2pm
Orchard Village Estate Office
Rainham
Mondays 10am – 12 noon
Hornchurch Library
North Street
Mondays and Thursdays 10am – 2pm
Telephone Support 01708 629902
Fridays 1pm – 3pm
E mail via website www.haveringcab.org.uk
The Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Disability and Carers Service
Tel: 0345 712 3456
Text phone: 0345 722 4433
Carers Allowance Unit
Tel: 0345 608 4321
Text phone: 0345 604 5312
The Pension Service
Tel: 0345 60 60 265
Text phone: 0345 60 60 285
Job Centre Plus
Job Centre Claim Line
Tel: 0800 055 66 88
Inland Revenue
Tax Credits
Tel: 0345 300 3900
Child Benefit
Tel: 0300 200 3100
The Adjudicator’s Office
Tel: 0300 057 1111
Benefits and tax credits have complex rules and exclusions. Information provided here is as a guide only rather than a full statement of the rules and regulations. Information provided by Welfare Rghts, Havering Adult Social Services, April 2016.