Section 1Care needs — day-to-day help
What this question is really asking: This section asks about the help your child needs with personal care during the day: washing, dressing, eating, toileting, and communication. Describe what you actually do, not what a diagnosis says.
What they are looking for: The DWP wants to understand the difference between your child and a non-disabled child of the same age. Focus on the extra help your child needs compared to their peers. Be specific about frequency, duration, and the nature of help.
I am applying for DLA for my [age]-year-old child who has [condition/diagnosis]. Write responses for the day-time care section that:
1. Describe a typical day from waking up to bedtime, highlighting each care task I help with
2. For each task (washing, dressing, toileting, eating, communicating), explain:
- What exactly I need to do (e.g., "I have to physically support them in the bath because...")
- How long it takes compared to a child without additional needs
- How often it happens each day
- What happens if I do not provide this help
3. Compare my child's needs to a typical child of the same age
4. Use specific recent examples from the last 6 weeks
5. Write factually — describe what I do and why, not how I feel
Use [bracketed] placeholders where I should insert my child's name, age, specific care examples, and timing.
Care needs — night-time supervision
What this question is really asking: This section asks about your child's needs during the night: whether they wake, need reassurance, supervision, or physical care, and how this affects your sleep.
What they are looking for: The DWP is looking for regular, predictable night-time needs. Occasional bad nights are less relevant than consistent patterns. Describe what happens most nights, not just the worst nights.
Write a response for the night-time care section of the DLA form for my [age]-year-old child who has [condition]:
1. Describe a typical night — how often does my child wake, why, and what do I need to do?
2. For each waking:
- What causes it (pain, anxiety, needing the toilet, confusion)
- What I do (settle them, give medication, change bedding, stay with them)
- How long I am awake each time
- Total disrupted sleep per night
3. Explain whether my child needs someone awake or just nearby
4. Describe the impact on my ability to rest
5. Use specific examples from a typical week, not the worst case
Use [bracketed] placeholders where I should add specific details.
Mobility component — getting around
What this question is really asking: This section asks about your child's ability to walk, get around outdoors, and whether they need guidance or supervision from another person.
What they are looking for: The DWP needs to understand your child's walking ability (distance, speed, stability) and whether they need supervision or guidance from another person when outside. Be very specific about distances and the nature of supervision.
Write a response for the mobility section of the DLA form for my [age]-year-old child:
1. Describe my child's walking ability:
- How far can they walk without stopping or showing distress? (be specific: "about 50 metres" not "not very far")
- Do they need to hold my hand or be carried?
- Do they fall, trip, or bump into things? How often?
- Are they aware of danger (roads, traffic, strangers)?
2. Describe what happens when we go out:
- Do they need constant supervision?
- Can they follow instructions?
- Do they try to run off or hide?
- Do they use a buggy, wheelchair, or other aid?
3. Compare to a child of the same age without additional needs
4. Use specific recent examples
Use [bracketed] placeholders where I need to insert specific details.
