Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit paid to people aged under 65 who need to help to look after themselves and/or to get around becuase of a long-term health problem or disability. This might be because they:

• Need help to get washed, dressed, take medication etc. 
• Need someone to keep an eye on them to make sure that they are safe
• Have a terminal illness
• Have problems walking when out of doors

There are two parts to the benefit:

Care component
The care component is paid to people who need help to look after themselves e.g. with washing, dressing and can be paid at one of three different rates; lower, middle or higher.

There is no lower age limit for claiming the care component (unless a claim is made on the basis of not being able to prepare a main meal when the claimant must be aged 16 or over).

If the person you care for gets the middle or highest rate of the care component, you may qualify for Carer's Allowance.

Mobility Component
The mobility component is for people who, because of their illness or disability, have difficulties walking. It is paid at one of two rates; lower or higher.

The higher rate can be paid from the age of three years; the lower rate from the age of five years.

Getting the higher rate of the mobility component can mean that the person you look after can get a blue badge for their car from social services and exemption from road tax. For more information, call the Disability Benefits Unit on 08457 123456.

Who can claim?

Your income and savings do not affect your claim for Disability Living Allowance, but the following condition must be met:

• You must claim the benefit before your 65th birthday.  If you are 65 or over, then you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance.
  If you have claimed and been awarded Disability Living Allowance before your 65th birthday, the benefit will continue to be paid when you are 65 and over.
• You must have had the health problems or disability you describe for at least three months and be likely to have them for the next six months (unless you have a terminal illness, when benefit can be paid immediately)
• You must satisfy at least one of the disability conditions - these outline the amount of help you must need for each of the components and rates
• You must meet the residence and presence conditions for the benefit

If you get Disability Living Allowance, you may qualify for more Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit (called 'Rate Rebate' in Northern Ireland).

How to claim

For more information, or to request a claim pack, call the Department for Work and Pensions enquiry line for carers and disabled people on 0800 88 22 00 or claim online.