Who this is for: Parents and carers of autistic children (under 16) applying for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or adults applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This guide explains the descriptors in plain English — it is not a guarantee of entitlement and does not constitute advice.
DLA vs PIP — What's the difference?
If your child is under 16, the relevant benefit is Disability Living Allowance (DLA). DLA has two components: Care (three rates) and Mobility (two rates). From age 16, the DWP moves people onto Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which uses a points-based assessment system.
This guide focuses primarily on DLA for children, as most families using SENDPath are navigating that first.
The DLA Care Component — Three Rates
The Care component is awarded at one of three rates depending on how much attention and supervision your child needs.
| Rate |
Weekly amount (2025/26) |
What it covers |
| Lower Rate |
£28.70 |
Some care needs during the day, or cook a main meal if they could not otherwise |
| Middle Rate |
£71.89 |
Frequent attention throughout the day, or supervision to avoid substantial danger, or attention at night |
| Higher Rate |
£107.57 |
Frequent attention throughout the day AND at night, or 24-hour supervision, or terminally ill |
Rates shown are 2025/26 indicative figures. Always verify current rates at gov.uk.
Translating the Key Descriptors for Autism
The DWP uses specific legal language. Here is what each descriptor means in practice for many autistic children — and the real behaviours that can evidence them.
"Attention in connection with bodily functions"
What DWP means: Help with eating, drinking, washing, dressing, communication, reading, using the toilet, or managing medication.
Autism examples that count:
- Prompting and supporting your child through a meltdown so they can eat or drink
- Helping manage rigid food routines (preparing specific textures, temperatures, presentations)
- Verbal prompting through every step of getting dressed or washing
- Interpreting your child's non-verbal communication to others (e.g. at school pickup, at GP)
- Reading and responding to social cues on your child's behalf
- Sitting with your child during mealtimes to ensure they eat
"Supervision to avoid substantial danger"
What DWP means: Your child needs another person present to prevent a serious risk to themselves or others, even if that person isn't doing anything — just watching.
Autism examples that count:
- Child has no road sense — cannot be left near roads unsupervised
- Risk of absconding (running away without warning)
- Self-injurious behaviour during meltdowns (head-banging, biting, scratching)
- Inability to recognise danger from strangers
- Pica (eating non-food items) requiring constant watch
- Risk of injury from extreme sensory-seeking behaviour
"Repetitive actions" — Why this qualifies for Middle Rate Care
Key insight many parents miss: Repetitive behaviours are listed as a DLA descriptor under "attention required in connection with bodily functions." Managing repetitive or stereotyped behaviour that causes harm or prevents the child functioning counts as attention.
This is one of the most misunderstood areas. The DWP's own guidance recognises that:
- Redirecting a child from repetitive behaviour that could cause injury counts as frequent attention
- Intervening in repetitive behaviour that prevents eating, sleeping or engaging in daily activities counts as care
- If redirection and management is needed throughout the day, this is the definition of frequent — which points to Middle Rate Care
- If management is also needed at night (e.g. child wakes and engages in repetitive behaviour that is harmful or distressing), this can qualify for Higher Rate Care
Night supervision and attention
Many autistic children have significant sleep difficulties. Night-time needs can include:
- Regular night waking requiring parental intervention (reassurance, redirecting unsafe behaviour)
- Need for attention more than twice a night or for an extended period (over 20 minutes)
- Risk of harm if left unsupervised (wandering, self-injury)
Night needs that are "prolonged or repeated" can contribute to eligibility for Higher Rate Care.
Mobility Component
DLA Mobility has two rates:
- Lower Rate Mobility (£28.70/wk): Your child can walk but needs guidance or supervision from another person most of the time when outdoors in unfamiliar places.
- Higher Rate Mobility (£75.20/wk): Your child is unable or virtually unable to walk, or walking could seriously harm their health.
Many autistic children qualify for Lower Rate Mobility because they cannot safely navigate unfamiliar environments without supervision — due to lack of road sense, tendency to abscond, or inability to manage unstructured public spaces.
⚠️ Important: DLA and PIP assessments are complex, and outcomes depend on how needs are evidenced and described. This guide is for general awareness only. For help completing forms, consider contacting
Citizens Advice,
Contact (charity), or an independent benefits adviser. Do not rely on this guide alone.
How to Evidence Autism Needs on DLA Forms
The DWP needs evidence of what happens on a typical day, not your best days. Tips:
- Keep a diary for 2–4 weeks before applying — note every intervention you make, no matter how small
- Describe the worst days too — state what percentage of days are difficult
- Use the word "frequent" deliberately when it's accurate — it has legal meaning
- Include night needs — many parents forget to mention night supervision
- Get a letter from your GP, paediatrician, or SENCO to corroborate your description
- Don't assume they know — write as if the assessor knows nothing about autism
Useful Resources
This is not financial or benefits advice. SENDPath is an information resource only. Entitlement to DLA or PIP depends on individual circumstances assessed by DWP. Always seek guidance from a qualified adviser.
Read our full disclaimer.