\nIn England, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is for children under 16, while Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is for people aged 16 and over who are of working age. Both help with the extra costs of a disability or long-term health condition, and neither depends on your income or savings. In Scotland the equivalents are Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment, so check which nation’s system applies to you.<\/pee>\n<\/div>\n
\nKey points<\/h4>\n
Key points<\/h4>\n\n- DLA is the benefit for children under 16; PIP is the benefit for people aged 16 to state pension age. A child on DLA is normally invited to claim PIP around their 16th birthday.<\/li>\n
- Both benefits are based on how a condition affects daily life, not on the diagnosis itself, and they are not means-tested.<\/li>\n
- Scotland uses Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment, run by Social Security Scotland. Northern Ireland runs its own versions of DLA and PIP.<\/li>\n
- Amounts change every year and depend on the rate awarded, so always check the current figures on GOV.UK rather than relying on an article.<\/li>\n
- Good evidence and a clear description of the hardest days make the biggest difference to a claim.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
What are PIP and DLA, and how do they differ?<\/h2>\nBoth are tax-free benefits designed to contribute towards the extra costs that come with a disability, a long-term illness or a mental health condition. They are not payments for being unable to work, and they are not a replacement for earnings. You can claim them whether or not you have a job.<\/pee>\nThe main difference is age. Disability Living Allowance for children<\/strong> is for those under 16. Personal Independence Payment<\/strong> is for people aged 16 or over who have not yet reached state pension age. Once someone is past state pension age and has not claimed before, a different benefit, Attendance Allowance, is usually the route. That is a separate topic, but it is worth knowing it exists.<\/pee>\nThe other major difference is how need is judged. DLA for a child asks how much more help the child needs than other children of the same age who do not have a disability. PIP asks how the person’s condition affects specific everyday activities, such as preparing food, managing money, communicating or moving around.<\/pee>\nWho can claim DLA for a child?<\/h2>\nA parent or carer can claim DLA on behalf of a child under 16 in England and Wales who has a disability or health condition that means they need substantially more care, supervision or help getting around than a child of the same age would. The condition can be physical, sensory, learning-related, neurodevelopmental or a mental health condition. A formal diagnosis helps, but what matters is the practical impact on everyday life.<\/pee>\nDLA for children has two parts:<\/pee>\n\n- A care component<\/strong>, paid at one of three levels, for children who need extra help with personal care or supervision.<\/li>\n
- A mobility component<\/strong>, paid at one of two levels, for children who have difficulty walking or getting around safely. There are minimum ages for the mobility component, which GOV.UK sets out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A child can receive one component or both. Rules also apply about how long the need has lasted and is expected to last, and about minimum ages for each part, so read the current GOV.UK guidance before you apply.<\/pee>\n\nTip:<\/strong> Think about what you do for your child that you would not do for a typical child of the same age. Night-time waking, constant supervision, help with communication or managing meltdowns all count, even if they feel like “just parenting” to you.<\/pee>\n<\/div>\nWho can claim PIP?<\/h2>\nPIP is for people aged 16 or over who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and who find everyday activities or getting around difficult. As a general rule you must have had these difficulties for a minimum period, and expect them to continue for a further period. GOV.UK sets out the exact timings, and special rules exist for people nearing the end of life.<\/pee>\nPIP also has two parts, each paid at a standard or an enhanced rate:<\/pee>\n\n- Daily living component<\/strong>, which looks at activities such as eating and drinking, washing, dressing, reading, managing treatments and making budgeting decisions.<\/li>\n
- Mobility component<\/strong>, which looks at planning and following a journey and moving around physically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The decision is made by scoring how often and how safely you can carry out each activity. Importantly, PIP is based on the effect of your condition, not on the condition’s name. Two people with the same diagnosis may receive different awards, and someone with a so-called invisible disability, such as autism, ADHD or anxiety, can qualify if their daily life is significantly affected.<\/pee>\nHow do PIP and DLA compare side by side?<\/h2>\nThe table below summarises the main differences for England. Amounts are deliberately left out because they are reviewed regularly and vary by rate; the current figures are on GOV.UK.<\/pee>\n
What are PIP and DLA, and how do they differ?<\/h2>\nBoth are tax-free benefits designed to contribute towards the extra costs that come with a disability, a long-term illness or a mental health condition. They are not payments for being unable to work, and they are not a replacement for earnings. You can claim them whether or not you have a job.<\/pee>\nThe main difference is age. Disability Living Allowance for children<\/strong> is for those under 16. Personal Independence Payment<\/strong> is for people aged 16 or over who have not yet reached state pension age. Once someone is past state pension age and has not claimed before, a different benefit, Attendance Allowance, is usually the route. That is a separate topic, but it is worth knowing it exists.<\/pee>\nThe other major difference is how need is judged. DLA for a child asks how much more help the child needs than other children of the same age who do not have a disability. PIP asks how the person’s condition affects specific everyday activities, such as preparing food, managing money, communicating or moving around.<\/pee>\nWho can claim DLA for a child?<\/h2>\nA parent or carer can claim DLA on behalf of a child under 16 in England and Wales who has a disability or health condition that means they need substantially more care, supervision or help getting around than a child of the same age would. The condition can be physical, sensory, learning-related, neurodevelopmental or a mental health condition. A formal diagnosis helps, but what matters is the practical impact on everyday life.<\/pee>\nDLA for children has two parts:<\/pee>\n\n- A care component<\/strong>, paid at one of three levels, for children who need extra help with personal care or supervision.<\/li>\n
- A mobility component<\/strong>, paid at one of two levels, for children who have difficulty walking or getting around safely. There are minimum ages for the mobility component, which GOV.UK sets out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A child can receive one component or both. Rules also apply about how long the need has lasted and is expected to last, and about minimum ages for each part, so read the current GOV.UK guidance before you apply.<\/pee>\n\nTip:<\/strong> Think about what you do for your child that you would not do for a typical child of the same age. Night-time waking, constant supervision, help with communication or managing meltdowns all count, even if they feel like “just parenting” to you.<\/pee>\n<\/div>\nWho can claim PIP?<\/h2>\nPIP is for people aged 16 or over who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and who find everyday activities or getting around difficult. As a general rule you must have had these difficulties for a minimum period, and expect them to continue for a further period. GOV.UK sets out the exact timings, and special rules exist for people nearing the end of life.<\/pee>\nPIP also has two parts, each paid at a standard or an enhanced rate:<\/pee>\n\n- Daily living component<\/strong>, which looks at activities such as eating and drinking, washing, dressing, reading, managing treatments and making budgeting decisions.<\/li>\n
- Mobility component<\/strong>, which looks at planning and following a journey and moving around physically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The decision is made by scoring how often and how safely you can carry out each activity. Importantly, PIP is based on the effect of your condition, not on the condition’s name. Two people with the same diagnosis may receive different awards, and someone with a so-called invisible disability, such as autism, ADHD or anxiety, can qualify if their daily life is significantly affected.<\/pee>\nHow do PIP and DLA compare side by side?<\/h2>\nThe table below summarises the main differences for England. Amounts are deliberately left out because they are reviewed regularly and vary by rate; the current figures are on GOV.UK.<\/pee>\n
Who can claim DLA for a child?<\/h2>\nA parent or carer can claim DLA on behalf of a child under 16 in England and Wales who has a disability or health condition that means they need substantially more care, supervision or help getting around than a child of the same age would. The condition can be physical, sensory, learning-related, neurodevelopmental or a mental health condition. A formal diagnosis helps, but what matters is the practical impact on everyday life.<\/pee>\nDLA for children has two parts:<\/pee>\n\n- A care component<\/strong>, paid at one of three levels, for children who need extra help with personal care or supervision.<\/li>\n
- A mobility component<\/strong>, paid at one of two levels, for children who have difficulty walking or getting around safely. There are minimum ages for the mobility component, which GOV.UK sets out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A child can receive one component or both. Rules also apply about how long the need has lasted and is expected to last, and about minimum ages for each part, so read the current GOV.UK guidance before you apply.<\/pee>\n\nTip:<\/strong> Think about what you do for your child that you would not do for a typical child of the same age. Night-time waking, constant supervision, help with communication or managing meltdowns all count, even if they feel like “just parenting” to you.<\/pee>\n<\/div>\nWho can claim PIP?<\/h2>\nPIP is for people aged 16 or over who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and who find everyday activities or getting around difficult. As a general rule you must have had these difficulties for a minimum period, and expect them to continue for a further period. GOV.UK sets out the exact timings, and special rules exist for people nearing the end of life.<\/pee>\nPIP also has two parts, each paid at a standard or an enhanced rate:<\/pee>\n\n- Daily living component<\/strong>, which looks at activities such as eating and drinking, washing, dressing, reading, managing treatments and making budgeting decisions.<\/li>\n
- Mobility component<\/strong>, which looks at planning and following a journey and moving around physically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The decision is made by scoring how often and how safely you can carry out each activity. Importantly, PIP is based on the effect of your condition, not on the condition’s name. Two people with the same diagnosis may receive different awards, and someone with a so-called invisible disability, such as autism, ADHD or anxiety, can qualify if their daily life is significantly affected.<\/pee>\nHow do PIP and DLA compare side by side?<\/h2>\nThe table below summarises the main differences for England. Amounts are deliberately left out because they are reviewed regularly and vary by rate; the current figures are on GOV.UK.<\/pee>\n
- \n
- A care component<\/strong>, paid at one of three levels, for children who need extra help with personal care or supervision.<\/li>\n
- A mobility component<\/strong>, paid at one of two levels, for children who have difficulty walking or getting around safely. There are minimum ages for the mobility component, which GOV.UK sets out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A child can receive one component or both. Rules also apply about how long the need has lasted and is expected to last, and about minimum ages for each part, so read the current GOV.UK guidance before you apply.<\/pee>\n \nTip:<\/strong> Think about what you do for your child that you would not do for a typical child of the same age. Night-time waking, constant supervision, help with communication or managing meltdowns all count, even if they feel like “just parenting” to you.<\/pee>\n<\/div>\n Who can claim PIP?<\/h2>\n
PIP is for people aged 16 or over who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and who find everyday activities or getting around difficult. As a general rule you must have had these difficulties for a minimum period, and expect them to continue for a further period. GOV.UK sets out the exact timings, and special rules exist for people nearing the end of life.<\/pee>\n PIP also has two parts, each paid at a standard or an enhanced rate:<\/pee>\n - \n
- Daily living component<\/strong>, which looks at activities such as eating and drinking, washing, dressing, reading, managing treatments and making budgeting decisions.<\/li>\n
- Mobility component<\/strong>, which looks at planning and following a journey and moving around physically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The decision is made by scoring how often and how safely you can carry out each activity. Importantly, PIP is based on the effect of your condition, not on the condition’s name. Two people with the same diagnosis may receive different awards, and someone with a so-called invisible disability, such as autism, ADHD or anxiety, can qualify if their daily life is significantly affected.<\/pee>\n How do PIP and DLA compare side by side?<\/h2>\n
The table below summarises the main differences for England. Amounts are deliberately left out because they are reviewed regularly and vary by rate; the current figures are on GOV.UK.<\/pee>\n - Mobility component<\/strong>, which looks at planning and following a journey and moving around physically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- A mobility component<\/strong>, paid at one of two levels, for children who have difficulty walking or getting around safely. There are minimum ages for the mobility component, which GOV.UK sets out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n