Petition · Department for Work and Pensions

Raise the age to 18 for receiving Disability Living Allowance

Open for signatures 84 signatures

What the petition asks

Being 16 is still considered a child in the UK so how can a 16 year old take the responsibility of applying for PIP and to be knowledgeable about finances. To fill in complex forms is overwhelming for an adult let alone a 16 year old. You can’t drink alcohol until 18 so the laws should be the same.
There’s many things you aren’t able to do at 16: playing the lottery, smoking and drinking alcohol. Would you allow a 16 year old to do this no we wouldn’t. 16 is just to young to take on the complexity of filling out many forms to claim a sickness benefit which is what the family would rely on. It’s simple: raise claiming PIP up to 18 so there’s no pressure on 16 year olds to become adults way to fast.

Timeline

12 Feb 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 84
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 12 Feb 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.