What happens to DLA at 16: moving to PIP

Updated 6 October 2026 · Checked against GOV.UK and legislation.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is for young people under 16. When your child turns 16 they need to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. Their DLA stops unless they apply by the date in the letter the DWP sends, but if they apply in time, DLA carries on until the PIP claim is assessed.

Why DLA ends at 16

GOV.UK says DLA for children is for a child under 16, and anyone over 16 must apply for PIP. The GOV.UK PIP guide puts it the other way round: you keep getting DLA if you are under 16.

The law is also clear that nobody can claim PIP before they reach 16, whether or not they get DLA. So in England and Wales there is nothing to apply for early. The move starts with a letter from the DWP.

This can feel like a cliff edge, especially if your child's needs have not changed at all. Knowing the steps in advance makes it much more manageable.

The PIP letter: when it arrives

Your child is sent a letter inviting them to apply for PIP. GOV.UK says it is sent:

• shortly after their 16th birthday;
• when they leave hospital, if they were in hospital on their 16th birthday;
• about 20 weeks before their DLA award ends, if they were awarded DLA under the special rules for people who might have 12 months or less to live.

The letter invites your child to apply, because PIP is their own claim. Keep an eye on the post around their birthday so it is not missed.

Apply by the date in the letter

This is the most important date in the whole move. GOV.UK says your child's DLA payments stop unless they apply for PIP by the date given in the letter. If they apply by that date, they continue to receive DLA until their PIP claim is assessed.

Put the date on the calendar the day the letter arrives. Follow what the letter says. On GOV.UK, a new PIP claim usually starts with a call to the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm), where your child answers some basic questions. You can also start a claim by writing to Freepost DWP PIP 1. After that there is a form called "How your disability affects you", which can usually be done online or by post. There may be an assessment if more information is needed.

You can help on the phone. GOV.UK says your child can ask for you to be added to the call, or you can call on their behalf as long as they are with you when you do.

If the DLA award was due to end around 16

Some DLA awards are for a fixed period. If your child's fixed award is due to end between the day before their 16th birthday and the day before they turn 16 and a half, the law extends it. The extended award ends on the day before they turn 17, or earlier if their DLA ends sooner under the rules for moving to PIP.

The extension does not replace the PIP claim: your child still needs to apply by the date in the letter.

PIP is a different benefit

PIP is not DLA under a new name, so it is worth being ready. GOV.UK says your child can get PIP if all of these apply:

• they are 16 or over;
• they have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability;
• they have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around;
• they expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started.

That is a different test from DLA for children, where needs are compared with other children of the same age and must be expected to last at least 6 more months. A DLA award does not move across automatically: the PIP claim is decided on its own rules and the result may be different.

So start gathering evidence before the letter comes. Recent letters from the GP, paediatrician or specialists, the school or college and any Education, Health and Care plan can all help your child explain how their condition affects them. A diary of a typical week, like our free care diary, is a good base. Our free evidence tracker keeps it all in one place.

Payments and appointees

Their own bank account. Once your child is 16, GOV.UK says they should contact DLA to change the payment details and have DLA paid into their own bank account. If they do not have one yet, it is worth sorting this out before their birthday.

If they cannot manage their own benefits. If your child is severely disabled and cannot manage their own benefits, you may be able to apply to manage their affairs for them once they turn 16. This is called becoming an appointee. To apply to be your child's appointee for their PIP claim, GOV.UK says to contact the PIP enquiry line at the Disability Service Centre.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland works differently. Children there get Child Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland, not DLA. It can be paid until the young person is 18, and they can choose to apply for Adult Disability Payment from 13 weeks before they turn 16. Scotland's adult benefit is Adult Disability Payment, not PIP. See our guide to DLA and Child Disability Payment.

Northern Ireland follows the same pattern as England and Wales: nidirect says your child will need to apply for PIP when they turn 16.

A checklist for the year before 16

• Check your child's latest DLA award letter for its end date.
• Collect recent evidence from school, college and health professionals.
• Help your child open a bank account in their own name.
• Decide whether your child can manage their own benefits, or whether you may need to become their appointee.
• Watch for the PIP letter after their 16th birthday and note the date to apply by.
• Apply by that date, so DLA carries on while PIP is assessed.
• Report any change in your child's needs to the DLA helpline in the meantime.

If you disagree with the PIP decision later, there is a mandatory reconsideration process for PIP too. Our guide to DLA mandatory reconsideration explains how that first step works.

Frequently asked questions