DLA change of circumstances

If your child’s situation changes while you’re getting DLA, you’ll need to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as this might affect your payments. Call the DLA helpline if:

• your child’s condition changes
• their care needs change
• they stop living with you
• they move to Scotland

If your child has to go into hospital, their DLA payments won’t usually be affected.

If you don’t report changes to DWP, it might mean the DLA payments you get are too high or too low. If they’re too low, your child may miss out on support they’re entitled to. If they’re too high, you may have to repay some of your child’s DLA. The amount you owe may be taken directly out of your benefits.

If you’re found to have deliberately failed to update DWP about a change in circumstances or given inaccurate information, you could be taken to court or fined.