DLA mobility

elbbarcs

I hope I'm asking in the right place. 

I can't seem to find any information on what qualifies for the low or high rate mobility section of DLA for a child? I can only find PIP which seems to make sense but I can't find anything similar for DLA. 

Does anyone know how  they grade it? I'm in the process of applying for my son and could do with some help, thank you

chiarieds

Hi @elbbarcs - & welcome to the community. You are asking in exactly the right place.

Some info from the government's website about the DLA mobility component:

'The rate the child gets depends on the level of help they need getting about, for example:

• lowest rate - they can walk but need help and or supervision when outdoors
• highest rate - they cannot walk, can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort, could become very ill if they try to walk or they’re blind or severely sight impaired

There are also age limits to receiving the mobility component:

• lowest rate - the child must be 5 years or over
• highest rate - the child must be 3 years or over

If your child is under these ages and you claim DLA for them, you should be sent a claim pack 6 months before they turn 3 and 6 months before they turn 5. You can then apply for the mobility component if you think they’re eligible for it.'

This can be seen here: https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility

Does this help?

woodbine

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/before-you-claim-dla/claiming-dla/

elbbarcs

Does that mean unless your child’s needs are physical or they are visually impaired they cannot have high rate mobility? Does it not matter the level of supervision required? 

woodbine

How old is your son?

elbbarcs

He’s 13

woodbine

All you can do is fill the forms in giving as much detail as possible (but don't waffle), and sending recent and relevant medical evidence. Another link below with some more help:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/help-with-your-dla-claim/help-with-dla-form/

poppy123456

This link maybe helpful. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/disability-living-allowance

To qualify for the higher rate mobility component because of severe mental impairment, the child has to meet all the following criteria:

• be entitled to the higher rate care component of DLA
• suffer from a state of arrested development or incomplete physical development of the brain which results in severe mental impairment of intelligence or social functioning
• exhibit ‘disruptive behaviour’ which ‘is extreme’ and ‘regularly requires another person to intervene and physically restrain them to prevent them from causing injury to themselves or another, or damage to property’
• be so unpredictable that they require another person to watch over them whenever they are awake