Applying for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for your child can feel overwhelming. The form is long, detailed, and often asks you to focus on the areas where your child needs the most support — something many parents naturally find difficult.

However, understanding how the process works and preparing properly can make completing the form much easier. In this guide, we’ve put together helpful tips, common mistakes to avoid, and advice on what evidence can support your application.

Top 10 Tips for Filling Out a DLA Form

1. Be honest about your child’s needs
It can feel uncomfortable focusing on the areas where your child struggles, but the purpose of the form is to understand the support your child needs in everyday life.

2. Describe your child on their most challenging days
When completing the form, explain what things are like when your child is struggling the most, rather than on their best days.

3. Give real-life examples
Instead of short answers, describe real situations. For example, explain what happens during mealtimes, dressing, going out, or bedtime routines.

4. Compare with other children of the same age
DLA decisions are based on the additional care your child needs compared to other children their age.

5. Explain supervision needs clearly
If your child needs constant supervision to stay safe, make sure you describe why and what could happen without that support.

6. Include night-time care
If your child wakes during the night, struggles to settle, or requires supervision overnight, this should be clearly explained.

7. Take your time completing the form
The form is long and can feel overwhelming. It’s completely fine to complete it over several days.

8. Use extra pages if needed
If you run out of space, you can attach extra sheets to explain your child’s needs in more detail.

9. Gather supporting evidence
Reports from schools, doctors, therapists, or specialists can strengthen your application.

10. Ask for help if you need it
Many charities and parent carer organisations offer free support with completing DLA forms.

What Evidence Helps a DLA Application?

Supporting evidence can make a big difference when applying for DLA. Evidence helps decision-makers understand your child’s needs from a professional perspective.

Some helpful forms of evidence include:

• School reports or SEN support plans

• Letters from doctors, paediatricians, or consultants

• Occupational therapy reports

• Speech and language therapy reports

• Educational psychologist reports

• Care plans or behaviour support plans

If you don’t have lots of professional reports, don’t worry. Your own detailed descriptions of your child’s daily needs are still very important.

Common Reasons DLA Applications Are Refused

Unfortunately, some DLA applications are refused the first time. This doesn’t always mean your child isn’t eligible — sometimes it simply means the form didn’t fully explain their needs.

Some common reasons include:

Not enough detail in answers
Short answers can make it difficult for decision-makers to understand the level of support needed.

Not explaining the extra care needed
The form focuses on the additional care your child needs compared to other children the same age.

Missing information about supervision or safety
Supervision needs are very important, especially if your child has limited awareness of danger.

Lack of supporting evidence
While evidence is not always required, professional reports can help support the information provided on the form.

If an application is refused, parents still have the right to request a reconsideration or appeal the decision.

Preparing Before Filling Out a DLA Form

Before starting the form, it can help to prepare a few things first.

You may find it useful to:

• Write down examples of your child’s daily challenges

• Keep a short diary of the support you provide each day

• Gather school or medical reports

• Speak to your child’s school or therapists if needed

• Ask parent carer organisations for guidance

Preparing ahead of time can make the form easier to complete and ensure nothing important is missed.

Completing a DLA form can feel like a difficult process, but remember that the goal is simply to help decision-makers understand the level of support your child needs. Taking your time, giving clear examples, and including supporting evidence can all help ensure your child’s needs are properly recognised.