Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance Back to top

Disability Living Allowance is for people under 65 who have difficulty walking or looking after themselves (or both). You may also be eligible if you need someone to look out for you, for example, because you have a mental health condition.

To qualify, you need to have had difficulty walking or looking after yourself (eg cooking or dressing yourself) for at least three months. These difficulties should be expected to last for at least the next six months.

Disability Living Allowance is made up of:

• a care component (for difficulties looking after yourself)
• a mobility component (for difficulties walking or getting around).

The amount of Disability Living Allowance you receive depends on how much help or supervision you need to walk or take care of yourself (or both). Some people will be entitled to get one component, while others may get both. You don’t have to be getting the help to qualify.

You should also know that:

• When you claim Disability Living Allowance, your income and savings are not taken into account.
• If you are receiving other benefits, they won’t be reduced if you are awarded Disability Living Allowance, and they may even increase.
• If you're awarded Disability Living Allowance, you may also become eligible for an extra benefit, such as Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
• You can claim Disability Living Allowance if you’re working.

Mobility component Back to top

To qualify for the mobility component you must be unable or virtually unable to walk without severe discomfort, or need guidance or help most of the time when walking outdoors.

The mobility component is paid at one of two rates depending on how your disability affects you:

• the lower rate of £20.55 a week
• the higher rate of £54.05 a week.

Care component Back to top

To qualify for the care component, you don’t need to have a carer. It’s the care you need that makes you eligible, not the care you get. For example, you could be eligible for the care component because you find it difficult to get out of bed, have a bath or cook yourself a meal. The care component is paid at one of three rates listed below, depending on the amount of help and care you need:

• the lowest rate of £20.55 a week
• the middle rate of £51.85 a week
• the highest rate of £77.45 a week.

 

If you qualify for the middle or highest rate of the care component and you have a carer, your carer may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance|.

If you're receiving Disability Living Allowance and your care or mobility needs increase, you may become entitled to an increase in your Disability Living Allowance.

You need to make a claim for Disability Living Allowance before you turn 65, but if you're awarded the benefit, it will still be paid to you after you have turned 65 if you continue
to meet the qualifying criteria.

Terminal illness Back to top

If you're terminally ill, you can apply for Disability Living Allowance under the 'special rules'. Under these rules, you don’t need to meet the three- and six-month qualifying conditions. Your claim will be dealt with quickly and you'll receive the Disability Living Allowance care component at the highest rate. You may also be eligible for the mobility component if you have difficulty walking.

All special rules claims for Disability Living Allowance are currently reviewed after three years.

How can I claim?

It’s a good idea to get help from an experienced welfare rights adviser when filling in the claim form. To apply, call the Benefit Enquiry Line| free on 0800 882 200, textphone 0800 243 355 or apply online at direct.gov.uk/doitonline|

In Northern Ireland

To apply, call the Disability and Carers Service|, the Benefit Enquiry Line| or your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office|. You can also download an application form at nidirect.gov.uk |

Your employer may be able to organise this or you can contact your local HM Revenue & Customs Enquiry Centre|. If your circumstances have changed, it’s worth asking if you’re still paying the correct amount of tax.

Changes to DLA - Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Back to top

As part of the Welfare Reform Act 2012|, Disability Living Allowance will be replaced by a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for people of working age from April 2013.

PIP will have many similarities with Disability Living Allowance. In particular, it will have two components: a daily living component (similar to the current care component) and a mobility component.

Between 2013 and 2016, everyone aged between 16 and 64 receiving Disability Living Allowance will be reassessed to see whether they are entitled to PIP. People entitled to PIP will have their claims transferred over and their Disability Living Allowance will stop. Those not found to be entitled to PIP will be informed and their Disability Living Allowance will stop. They may be able to claim other benefits instead.

At the moment, there are no plans to extend PIP to children under 16 or people over 65. However, these groups may be transferred over from Disability Living Allowance at a later date.