School and SEN evidence for disability benefit claims
For children claiming DLA, and for adults with learning disabilities or autism claiming PIP, evidence from schools and Special Educational Needs (SEN) professionals can be valuable.
We explain the system. We do not advise on individual cases.
Why school evidence matters for children
For children claiming DLA, evidence from school can be valuable. Teachers, SENCOs and support staff often see how a child manages compared with other children of the same age, which is central to how DLA for children is assessed.
Types of school evidence
- An Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, if there is one
- SEN support records or individual education plans
- Letters from a teacher, SENCO or head teacher
- Reports from an educational psychologist or specialist support
What it should show
The most useful school evidence describes the extra help a child needs compared with their peers — with learning, behaviour, personal care, supervision or safety — and how often. See how to describe difficulties.
Next steps
- Read about DLA for children.
- See the evidence checklist and Evidence overview.
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Last reviewed: June 2026. We review this website regularly. Benefit rules and amounts can change — for current forms, deadlines and rates, always check GOV.UK. See how we keep this up to date.