Reviewing your DLA evidence

A DLA application is only as strong as the evidence behind it. Before you complete and submit the form, it is worth reviewing what you have, and being honest about where the gaps are.

The evidence review in the DLA Helper

From your DLA application in the app, select Review evidence to see an overview of your current evidence position. The review shows:

• Covered: needs that are described in your uploaded documents with specific, usable language
• Partially covered: needs that are mentioned in documents but without sufficient detail or quantification
• Not covered: areas of the DLA form for which you have no professional evidence

This is an extracted assessment based on your Vault documents. It is a guide, not a definitive answer, you may have evidence not yet uploaded, or verbal assurances from professionals that have not yet been put in writing.

What "good" DLA evidence looks like

Strong evidence for a DLA application is:

• Specific: it describes actual behaviours, needs, and impacts rather than diagnoses alone
• Quantified where possible: "needs 45 minutes of prompting and support to complete morning routine" is stronger than "requires support with personal care"
• From an independent professional: reports from NHS professionals, independent therapists, or educational psychologists carry more weight than parent accounts alone (though your account is essential too)
• Recent: DWP will give more weight to evidence from the last 12–18 months

Evidence gaps and how to fill them

If your review shows areas with no or weak coverage, consider:

GP letter: a brief letter from your child's GP summarising their condition and the impact on daily living. Ask specifically for detail about care needs, not just diagnosis.

School evidence: a letter from the SENCo or class teacher describing the support your child receives at school and the impact of their needs on daily activities.

Therapist report: an updated report from any therapist (OT, SALT, physio) your child is currently seeing. Ask them to address functional impact specifically.

Paediatric letter: if your child is under a paediatrician, a letter confirming the diagnosis and the nature of care needs is valuable.

Uploading new evidence

When you receive a new report or letter, upload it to your Vault and run an document analysis. The new extracts will become available in the DLA Helper automatically.