Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults - How much Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will I get?

Care component

This is paid at one of three different weekly rates depending on your care needs:

• Highest rate £108.55
• Middle rate £72.65
• Lowest rate £28.70

Mobility component

This is paid at one of two different weekly rates, depending on how difficult it is for you to get around:

• Higher rate £75.75
• Lower rate £28.70

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.

Benefit Cap

If you or your partner receives DLA, you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap which limits the total amount in some benefits that working-age households can receive. See our Benefit Cap guide for more details.

How will I be paid Disability Living Allowance?

Disability Living Allowance will be paid directly into your bank or building society account or through the Payment Exception Service if you are unable to open or manage one of these or a similar account.

Disability Living Allowance is usually paid every four weeks.

Awards of Disability Living Allowance can be made for either fixed or indefinite periods but usually awards (payments) are made for a minimum of six months or longer if you carry on having care needs.

If you go into hospital, your DLA payment will stop after four weeks.

Disability Living Allowance and other benefits

If you start to get DLA, it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you are entitled to. For example, you may get extra Housing Benefit.

DLA is normally ignored as income for working out entitlement to other benefits.

If you get DLA care component, someone who cares for you might qualify for Carer’s Allowance.

Help to buy or lease a car (Motability)

There is a scheme called Motability available if you are getting the higher rate mobility part of DLA or War Pensioner’s mobility supplement.

If you qualify, this helps you to buy a car on hire purchase or lease one. The payments are covered by the DLA higher rate mobility component, which is usually paid directly to Motability.

For more information, see the Motability website or phone on 0300 456 4566 to speak to the Motability customer services team.