Answering the guided questions

The DLA1 Child form asks about your child's care and mobility needs across a range of daily activities. The way you describe those needs, not just what they are, but how often, how long, and what you actually do, has a direct effect on whether your application is successful and at what rate.

The key principle: describe your worst days

DWP asks you to describe your child's needs as they are on a typical day, but DLA guidance makes clear that you should describe the full range of days, including difficult days. If your child has good days and bad days, the form should reflect both, but the severity of need on difficult days is what determines eligibility for the higher rates.

Do not minimise. Parents often understate needs because they have adapted to their situation and normalised significant levels of care. Write it down explicitly.

What to include for each activity

For each activity in the form (feeding, washing, dressing, communication, etc.), describe:

• What your child cannot do independently: not just that they need help, but specifically what they cannot manage
• What you have to do: describe your involvement precisely ("I need to sit with her throughout every meal because she will stop eating, become distressed, and in some cases try to leave the table")
• How long it takes: compared to a child without a disability of the same age
• How often: frequency matters. If something happens twice a day, every day, say so
• The effect on you: sleep, supervision requirements, and what happens if the need is not met

Common mistakes to avoid

Describing what your child can do on good days: if they can dress themselves once a month, that is not representative of their daily reality.

Not mentioning supervision: many parents forget that needing to be supervised (even without physical assistance) is a care need. If your child cannot safely be left alone, that is relevant.

Leaving out the unpredictable: seizures, meltdowns, or other unpredictable events may not happen every day, but if they are part of your child's condition, they must be described.

Being too brief: "he needs help with dressing" is much weaker than "he cannot tolerate the sensation of clothing fasteners and becomes dysregulated trying to manage buttons or zips. I must either choose all clothing in advance or sit with him and do up fasteners for him. This takes 30–40 minutes each morning."

Using the app's question prompts

The DLA Helper includes a prompt for each question that explains what DWP is looking for and common ways to frame your answer. Read the prompt before writing your answer, it often highlights aspects of the need that parents forget to mention.