According to recent research from the Resolution Foundation, one in four disabled children lose access to disability benefits as they transition into adulthood. The report, titled Growing Pressures, examines the increasing number of children under 16 with disabilities and its impact on the benefits system. The study found that the number of children receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in England and Wales has doubled over the past decade, reaching 682,000 in 2023. This rise is largely due to an increase in awards for children with learning difficulties, behavioural disorders, and ADHD.

The report highlights that while the number of children receiving DLA has surged, it doesn't reflect an easing of eligibility criteria. Instead, most children awarded DLA have significant care needs that affect their daily lives. Notably, the middle rate care component has seen the largest increase, with a 116% rise over the past decade, while the highest care rate has doubled.

As children approach adulthood, the transition to working-age disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), poses challenges. Although four-fifths of initial DLA-to-PIP reassessments result in a PIP award, 13% of young people fail to make a PIP claim, leading to a significant drop in the number of 16- and 17-year-olds receiving disability benefits.

The Resolution Foundation emphasises the need for a smoother transition between child and adult disability benefits. They argue that addressing the underlying causes of rising disability rates, rather than focusing solely on benefit eligibility, is crucial for creating a sustainable solution.