Applying for the Disability Living Allowance: A New Resource For Parents And Carers

Working in partnership with Carers Leeds, we’ve developed a new video resource for parents and carers applying for the Disability Living Allowance.

The Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is for children, and aims to help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

Is under 16
Has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability.

It comprises two separate components which look at mobility and care needs, with different rates of support applied according to different levels of need.

For most families, applying for the DLA is an emotional experience. It highlights their child’s difficulties, and brings into sharp focus the challenges they face day-to-day. Completing the 40-page form plus its guidance notes without assistance can also be an overwhelming prospect for a family.

In response to the many enquiries that Carers Leeds have from families about the DLA form, Steph Ward from the charity’s parent carer support team reached out to us for support.

The outcome of this collaboration is a step-by-step video guide to filling in the form. Steph and Carmel Gallagher, our paediatric support and rehabilitation coordinator, recorded this in 2020, before piloting it with service users.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Previously, a parent/carer might struggle to detail the precise impact of their child’s disability on their ability to wash or dress themselves, for example. But Steph and Carmel have provided clear instructions on how to measure and record the time spent giving extra care to a child.

The guide incorporates advice on how to respond to each question individually. It also provides suggestions of what additional evidence or support materials parent/carers should consider including, such as:

Up-to-date consultant reports
Letters from school
Statements from treating therapists.

It also includes guidance on what to include if your child is awaiting assessments or test results, if a formal diagnosis has yet to be made, or where there are changing care needs.

Carmel says:

“In the past, I may have had an initial call with a parent/carer, followed by a lengthy meeting in our office, in their home or online to complete the form together. Now, following an initial conversation, I can send the video to families, and they can take their time completing the form themselves.

“It’s been really empowering for families to take ownership of this process and not feel reliant on a ‘professional’ to do it for them.”

Steph was also really keen to include her top tips for DLA applications, which include photocopying everything and keeping a dairy to record care needs.

Steph explains:

“It’s easy for families to forget or simply not realise just how much extra time and assistance they provide to care for their child. Very quickly, their reality becomes their normality.

“Taking the time to note down how long it takes to complete individual tasks, or recording how many times you get up in the night to manage things such as feeds, medication or seizure activity, can help families to fully understand and appreciate their role as carers.”

Carolyn Heaton, partner and serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell, says:

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity to work with Carers Leeds to develop this resource. It’s great to see it already being used widely by parents and carers.”

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Applying for the Disability Living Allowance: A New Resource For Parents And Carers

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Applying for the Disability Living Allowance: A New Resource For Parents And Carers

Further reading

For general enquiries

About Irwin Mitchell

Contact Us

Get a call back