Why children get DLA and not PIP
Children under 16 cannot claim PIP. Instead, they may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This page explains the difference and what happens when a child turns 16.
We explain the system. We do not advise on individual cases.
Two different benefits for different ages
DLA and PIP are separate benefits. DLA for children is for under-16s, while PIP is for people aged 16 up to State Pension age. They are assessed differently, which is why a child claims DLA rather than PIP.
How they differ
DLA for children looks at the extra care, supervision and mobility help a child needs compared with other children of the same age. PIP uses a points-based assessment of how a condition affects specific daily living and mobility activities. The move from one to the other usually happens around a young person’s 16th birthday.
Next steps
- Read about turning 16 and the move to PIP.
- See the PIP overview.
- Official source: GOV.UK — DLA for children.
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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.