The 20-second answer
Child under 16?
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Aged 16 or over?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
In work or starting?
Access to Work
In short: DLA helps with the extra costs of a disabled child under 16, PIP helps people aged 16 to State Pension age with daily living and getting around, and Access to Work pays for support at work. None of them depend on income or savings, and you do not need a diagnosis to apply. In Scotland, the equivalents are Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment.
Checked 24 September 2026
Benefit rules and amounts change. Amounts here apply from April 2026 to April 2027. The government’s Timms Review of PIP is due to finish in autumn 2026, but nothing has changed for people claiming now. Always check GOV.UK for the latest.
Which is which
What are PIP, DLA and Access to Work?
DLA for children
Helps with the extra costs of looking after a child who needs much more care than other children their age.
Weekly amount£30.30 to £194.60 a week
- Not based on income
- No diagnosis needed
Good for: Children under 16 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
PIP
Helps with extra costs if a long-term condition makes everyday tasks or getting around harder.
Weekly amount£30.30 to £194.60 a week
- Can work and claim
- Not based on income or savings
Good for: Ages 16 to State Pension age in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Access to Work
A grant that pays for practical support so you can start or stay in work.
AmountDepends on your needs
- Not paid back
- Does not affect other benefits
Good for: Anyone 16 or over in, or about to start, paid work
Where you live
Which benefit do I apply for where I live?
Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own versions. They work in a similar way.
| England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children under 16 | DLA for children | Child Disability Payment | DLA for children |
| Aged 16 to State Pension age | PIP | Adult Disability Payment | PIP (through NI Direct) |
| Support at work | Access to Work | Access to Work | Access to Work (NI) |
How PIP works
How does PIP decide how much you get?
An assessor looks at 12 everyday activities. Each one scores points. These are the ones that often apply to autistic and ADHD people.
Daily living
Getting around
You can get one part or both. PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks. Rates from April 2026.
Preparing food
Needing reminders, or forgetting food on the hob.
Managing medication
Needing prompts to take tablets or keep appointments.
Engaging with people
Finding face-to-face contact very hard without support.
Budgeting
Finding bills, change or spending decisions hard to manage.
Planning journeys
Needing help with new routes, or overwhelming distress when travelling.
Washing and dressing
Needing prompts, or sensory difficulties that make it hard.
Read more: the four “reliably” rules
For each activity, the question is whether you can do it reliably. That means safely, to a good enough standard, as often as you need to, and in a reasonable time (no more than twice as long as someone without your condition).
If you can only do something with prompting, with support, or with a lot of stress afterwards, say so. Describe what your difficult days are like, not just your best ones.
How to claim
How do I claim PIP, step by step?
Each step can feel like a lot. Take it one at a time, and ask for help with any of them.
- Start your claim
Call the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm). In some areas you can apply online.
- Fill in the form
You will get a form called “How your disability affects you”. Send it back within 1 month. Ask for more time if you need it.
- Have an assessment
Usually by phone, video or in person. You can have someone with you.
- Get a decision
A letter tells you what you will get and why. It can take several months.
- Don’t agree?
Ask for a “mandatory reconsideration” within 1 month of the letter. If that does not change things, you can appeal to a tribunal.
Read more: claiming DLA for a child
Call the DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600 to ask for a claim form, or print one from GOV.UK. It is paid from the day you call, as long as the form is returned within 6 weeks, so call first and then take your time with the form. It cannot be backdated.
Describe the extra care your child needs compared with other children their age, day and night, including supervision, prompting and help during meltdowns or shutdowns.
Evidence
What evidence helps a claim?
Letters that describe the day-to-day
From a GP, school, SENCO, support worker or therapist. How things affect you matters more than the diagnosis.
A diary
Write down a normal week, including the hard days and what help was needed.
Plans and reports
EHCPs, support plans, therapy reports and care plans.
Someone who knows you
A family member or friend can describe what they see.
Describe your worst days
It can feel uncomfortable, but the form needs to know about difficult days, not just good ones.
Say what help you need
Even if you manage without it now. Needing help counts, even if nobody gives it.
Keep copies
Copy or photograph everything before you send it.
Access to Work
What can Access to Work pay for?
Access to Work is a grant, not a benefit. It pays for support your employer would not normally provide.
A job coach
Support to learn a role, organise tasks or settle in.
Equipment
Things like noise-cancelling headphones.
Software
Tools for planning, reading or writing.
Travel
Help with travel costs if you cannot use public transport.
Mental health support
Sessions with a mental health professional and a plan to stay in work.
You can apply online on GOV.UK. Autism and ADHD are both covered, and you do not need a diagnosis. The grant does not affect other benefits and is not paid back. Applications can take a while, so apply as early as you can.
Free help
Where can I get free help with a claim?
You do not have to do this alone. These services are free.
- GOV.UK: PIPOfficial rules, amounts and how to claim.
- GOV.UK: DLA for childrenFor children under 16 in England and Wales.
- GOV.UK: Access to WorkWhat it covers and how to apply.
- mygov.scot: Adult Disability PaymentIf you live in Scotland.
- NI Direct: PIPIf you live in Northern Ireland.
- Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with forms and appeals.
- ContactAdvice for families with disabled children.
- Turn2usA free calculator to check what you might get.
Questions
Common questions
Do I need a diagnosis to claim PIP or DLA?
No. Both are based on how a condition affects daily life, not on a diagnosis. A diagnosis or a waiting-list letter can still help as evidence.
Can I work and get PIP?
Yes. PIP does not depend on whether you work, or on your income or savings.
Does PIP affect other benefits?
PIP is not counted as income for most other benefits, and getting it can mean extra money in some other benefits, or help for a carer. Citizens Advice or Turn2us can check this for you.
Can I get PIP for ADHD or autism?
Yes, if it makes everyday activities or getting around harder, reliably, for at least 12 months. Many autistic and ADHD people get PIP.
What happens to DLA when my child turns 16?
You will usually be invited to apply for PIP around their 16th birthday. DLA carries on while the PIP claim is decided.
What if I am turned down?
Many decisions change on reconsideration or appeal. Ask for a mandatory reconsideration within 1 month of your decision letter, and get free advice from Citizens Advice.