Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Key information
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is money for people
who have care needs, and/or mobility needs (difficulty getting
around).
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland
Age rules: You must be under 65 when you first
claim. If you are 65 or over you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance instead if you have care
needs
Type of benefit: Non means tested
Taxable: No
Administered by: Pension, Disability and Carers
Service
Please note: if you have a child with an
illness, injury or disability, see Disability Living Allowance - claiming for
children.
Index
You can read through this information sheet, or go directly to
the sections you want to read by clicking on these links:
Who does it help?
If you have extra care and/or mobility needs as a result of a
disability, you could get DLA.
You must have had these care and/or mobility needs for at least
three months before you claim DLA and expect to have them for at
least six months after.
Care needs
If you have care needs, it means you need help with things like
getting dressed, going to the toilet or cooking a main meal for
yourself. Or you must be supervised so you do not get
hurt. It could include help outside the home. It does not
matter if you do not actually get this help as long as you can show
you need it.
Mobility needs
If you have mobility needs, it means you cannot walk or you walk
with difficulty. Or you cannot walk outdoors or on an
unfamiliar route without help from someone else most of the time.
This can be because of a physical or mental disability.
It does not matter if you do not actually get this help, as long as
you can show you need it.
If you have a severe visual impairment, you will also be
assessed on your mobility needs and you may qualify for the higher
rate of the mobility part of DLA. See How much does it pay
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Rules for people who have a terminal
illness
If you have a terminal illness, there are special rules to help
you get the care amount in DLA without delay. If your doctors say
that you are terminally ill and you are reasonably expected to die
within six months, you can get the highest rate care amount in DLA
straight away - you do not have to have care needs for three months
before you claim or expect to have them for six months after. You
will need to ask your doctor/healthcare professional for a form
called a DS 1500 and fill in the special rules section of the DLA
claim form.
If you have difficulty walking, you must also fill in the
mobility section of the form.
Another person, such as your partner, relative or friend, can
apply for DLA on your behalf without your knowledge under the
special rules. Even if someone else makes the claim for you, the
money will be paid to you.
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What help does it provide?
DLA is paid into your bank or building society account or, in
some cases, at a post office. It is paid as long as you have
mobility or care needs. You can spend the money on what you
want.
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How much does it pay?
There are two parts of DLA.
Care component: One is the care part if you
have care needs. This is paid at one of three different weekly
rates depending on how much care is needed:
Higher
£77.45
Middle
£51.85
Lower
£20.55
Mobility component: The other part is the
mobility part which is paid at one of two different weekly rates,
depending on how difficult it is for you to get around
Higher £54.05
Lower £20.55
You could get either or both parts.
If you receive DLA you also qualify for a Christmas Bonus
each year. This is usually £10. You do not need to make a
claim for the bonus it is paid automatically. It does not affect
any other benefits you might get.
If you qualify for the higher rate of the mobility part of
DLA, you could also get help to buy or lease a car under the
Motability scheme.
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How do I make a claim?
Online Claim
Claim online at the
Department for Work and Pensions website (link opens in a new
window)
Telephone Claim
Phone the Benefit Enquiry Line:
Telephone: 0800 88 22 00
Textphone: 0800 24 33 55
Paper Claim
Download
a claim form from the Directgov website (link opens in a new
window)
Phone the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200 for a claim
form.
In Northern Ireland
Phone the Benefit Enquiry Line for a claim form:
Telephone: 0800 22 06 74
Textphone: 0800 24 37 87
Phone the Disability and Carer’s Service for a claim form:
Telephone: 028 9090 6182
Textphone: 0800 24 37 87
Download
a claim form from the NI Direct website (link opens in a new
window)
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What documents will I need?
You must give your national insurance number and evidence of who
you are, for example, a driving licence or birth
certificate.
Part of the form can be filled in by someone who knows
about your disability. This could be a friend, relative or
carer.
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Can it be backdated?
A claim for DLA cannot be backdated. The date of your claim will
be the date you call and ask for a claim form as long as you
complete and return it in the time given. If you download a claim
it will be the date your completed claim form is received.
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Challenging decisions
If you disagree with the decision made on your benefit claim you
can ask for a written statement of reasons. If you still believe
the decision is wrong, for example due to incorrect information
being used, you can ask for it to be looked at again, and/or
appeal.
The time limits are strict, you will usually be given one
month to dispute a decision, so it is important to seek advice and
act quickly.
Further information on Challenges and
complaints
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Change of circumstance
You must report changes in your circumstances
which might affect your entitlement to this benefit.
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Help to buy or lease a car (Motability)
There is a scheme called Motability available to people who are
getting the higher rate mobility part of Disability Living
Allowance (DLA) or war pensioner’s mobility supplement.
This helps you to buy a car on hire purchase or lease one. If
you cannot drive or prefer not to drive yourself, you may still
obtain a vehicle and name up to two other people as drivers
It also helps you to hire a car on behalf of a child you have
who is over three years of age and getting the higher rate
mobility part of DLA.
Motability also offers a contract hire scheme for powered
wheelchairs or scooters.
You usually have to pay a deposit but might
get help to pay this.
The hire purchase or lease payments are met by
your Disability Living Allowance high rate mobility component which
is usually paid direct to Motability.
If you lease the car, then insurance,
breakdown cover, and repairs are included. Mileage up to a certain
limit is included in the price but after that you have to pay per
mile you drive.
For more information about Motability (link
opens in a new window), look on their website or phone them on:
0845 456 4566.
Directgov has
information about the Motability Scheme (link opens in a new
window).
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Further help
- For general enquiries about DLA, you can call the Benefit
Enquiry helpline on: 0800 882 200
- Once you have made a claim for DLA, you can get further advice
from the Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance Helpline
who should have access to your records. You can call them on: 08457
123 456
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This information has been produced by Citizens
Advice.
Last updated: 5 April 2012
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