None / Not Claiming
Lower Rate (£29.20/week)
Higher Rate (£77.05/week)
Weekly
Every 4 Weeks (Standard Payment)
Yearly (Annual Total)
Care Component:£0.00
Mobility Component:£0.00
Total Payment (Weekly):£0.00
Note: These figures reflect the confirmed 1.7% uprating effective April 2025. DLA is typically paid every 4 weeks.
function calculateDLA() {
// Get inputs
var careRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('careComponent').value);
var mobRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mobilityComponent').value);
var frequencyMult = parseFloat(document.getElementById('paymentFreq').value);
var freqSelect = document.getElementById('paymentFreq');
var freqText = freqSelect.options[freqSelect.selectedIndex].text;
// Validate inputs (basic check to ensure they are numbers, though Selects prevent most errors)
if (isNaN(careRate) || isNaN(mobRate)) {
alert("Please select valid component rates.");
return;
}
// Calculations
var totalWeekly = careRate + mobRate;
var displayCare = careRate * frequencyMult;
var displayMob = mobRate * frequencyMult;
var displayTotal = totalWeekly * frequencyMult;
// Update DOM
document.getElementById('resCare').innerHTML = "£" + displayCare.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resMob').innerHTML = "£" + displayMob.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerHTML = "£" + displayTotal.toFixed(2);
// Update label text based on frequency
var label = "Weekly";
if (frequencyMult === 4) label = "Every 4 Weeks";
if (frequencyMult === 52) label = "Annually";
document.getElementById('freqLabel').innerHTML = label;
// Show results
document.getElementById('results').style.display = 'block';
}
Understanding DLA Rates for 2025
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a critical tax-free benefit provided by the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to assist with the extra costs associated with raising a child under 16 who has a disability or health condition. As the cost of living fluctuates, benefit rates are typically reviewed annually.
This DLA Rates 2025 Calculator helps parents and guardians estimate their entitlement starting from April 2025, incorporating the confirmed 1.7% increase based on the September CPI inflation figures.
Key Changes for April 2025
In April 2025, DLA rates are set to rise by 1.7%. While this is a smaller increase compared to the previous year's 6.7%, it ensures that benefits continue to align with inflation metrics used by the government.
DLA Components Explained
DLA consists of two distinct components: the Care Component and the Mobility Component. A child may qualify for one or both, depending on the severity of their needs.
1. Care Component
The rate awarded depends on the level of looking after the child needs:
Lowest Rate (£29.20/week): For children who need help for some of the day.
Middle Rate (£73.90/week): For children who need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night, or need someone to help with renal dialysis.
Highest Rate (£110.40/week): For children who need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or who have a terminal illness.
2. Mobility Component
This component assists with children who have difficulty walking:
Lower Rate (£29.20/week): Can be claimed from age 5. For children who can walk but need guidance or supervision outdoors.
Higher Rate (£77.05/week): Can be claimed from age 3. For children who cannot walk, can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort, could become very ill if they try to walk, or are blind or severely visually impaired.
2025/2026 Rate Table (Weekly)
Component
Rate Level
2024/25 Amount
2025/26 Amount (Est)
Care
Lowest
£28.70
£29.20
Care
Middle
£72.65
£73.90
Care
Highest
£108.55
£110.40
Mobility
Lower
£28.70
£29.20
Mobility
Higher
£75.75
£77.05
How DLA is Paid
DLA is usually paid every 4 weeks directly into a bank, building society, or credit union account. If you use our calculator above and select "Every 4 Weeks," you will see the exact amount you can expect to hit your bank account each payment cycle.
Eligibility Criteria
To claim DLA for a child, you must be their parent or look after them as if you are their parent. The child must:
Be under 16 years old.
Need extra looking after or have walking difficulties compared to children of the same age without a disability.
Have had these difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to last for at least 6 months (unless terminally ill).
Live in the UK (residency rules apply).
Disclaimer: The figures provided in this calculator are based on the confirmed 1.7% uprating applied to 2024 figures. Official award letters from the DWP will confirm your exact entitlement in March/April 2025.