Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults - How do I claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?

You can no longer make a new claim for DLA if you are 16 or over.

You may be able to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment, Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment instead. 

You can check if you’re eligible to PIP or learn how to manage your application using the Turn2us PIP Helper. 

If you have a child with an illness, injury or disability, see our Disability Living Allowance - children guide or our Child Disability Payment (Scotland) guide.

If you already get DLA, you will be transferred onto Personal Independence Payment (PIP), even if you have been given an indefinite or lifetime award of DLA, unless:

• You are in England or Wales and you were born on or before 8 April 1948; or
• You are in Northern Ireland and you were born on or before 20 June 1951.

If you already get DLA and live in Scotland, you will be transferred onto Scottish Adult DLA, even if you have been given an indefinite or lifetime award of DLA. Some people born on or after 9 April 1948 may have had their award moved to Adult Disability Payment.

If you do not already get DLA and you are 65 or over, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland) instead.

Change of circumstances

You must report changes in circumstance which might affect your entitlement to this benefit.

In England or Wales

Phone the Disability Living Allowance helpline for a claim form:

• Telephone 0800 121 4600
• Textphone 0800 121 4523
• Use the Relay UK service if you use British Sign Language

The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

In Northern Ireland

Phone the Disability and Carer’s Service:

• Telephone: 0800 587 0912
• Textphone: 0800 012 1574
• Use Relay UK service if you use Irish Sign Language or British Sign Language.
• Email: dcs.post@dfcni.gov.uk

The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 09.00 am to 4:00 pm.