Social Security Experience Panels: disability benefit names - visual summary

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children

First we asked respondents what they liked and disliked about the existing DWP disability benefit names, with text boxes to respond.

The most common thing that respondents said they liked about the name DLA for Children was that it is clear, easy to understand and familiar. They liked that it is descriptive, stating what and who the benefit is for.

• “There's a familiarity with it, people already know what it is and what to expect.”
• “Tells you who it's for and what it does.”
• “Simple and explanatory. It's direct to the point for helping children with disabilities, mental and physical.”
• “It does what it says on the tin.”
• “It’s in line with the name used in England.”

Some respondents liked the word ‘children’ as it shows that the benefit is meant to support the child.

Some respondents also liked the word ‘living’. They said that it recognises that having a disability or health condition results in extra living costs for children and their families.

The most common thing that respondents said they disliked about the name DLA for Children was that it includes the word ‘disability’. They felt it creates stigma.

Some respondents felt it is particularly problematic to ‘label’ children using the word.

Many respondents disliked the word ‘allowance’.

• “It sounds as though it is just for children but not young people.”
• “It is very old fashioned and could do with a change, something that represents all children in the 21st century, something that includes all of disabilities including the hidden ones.”
• “I feel that the use of the word disability is demeaning. Children with additional needs should not be categorised.”
• “The word allowance sounds like you’re permitting or allowing living and independence rather than it being a right.”
• “It focuses on disability rather as ability.”

Some respondents said the name is ‘old-fashioned’ and ‘out of date’. A few respondents said that any benefit names used by the DWP held negative feelings for them.

Some respondents said that it is not clear which age group the benefit is for because it only refers to ‘children’. This was seen to exclude teenagers.