Disability Living Allowance
Extra money for ill and disabled people
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is extra money for people aged under 65 who have an illness or disability. If you are over 65, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance.
Changes for people with severe visual impairments
The higher-rate mobility component of DLA has been extended to some people with severe visual impairments.
If you have a severe sight impairment and already get the lower rate, your award will be reviewed. Get advice if you do not already get DLA - you may now be able to claim.
Visit the DirectGov website or RNIB website to find out more.
Future changes
DLA is to be replaced with a new Personal Independence Payment from 2013. Visit the DirectGov website to find out more.
Who can claim
DLA has two parts: care and mobility. You may get both parts, or just one.
You can claim the care element if you have a physical or mental illness or disability and:
- you need a lot of help looking after yourself - with things like getting out of bed, washing, dressing, eating, bathing, going to the toilet, managing your medication or communicating with other people (for example because you cannot see or hear), or
- you cannot prepare a cooked main meal for yourself, or
- you need supervision or care to prevent you from hurting yourself or others.
You can claim DLA mobility if:
- you have difficulties walking or need someone with you when walking outside.
You must have needed help for at least three months (unless you are terminally ill — then you can get help straight away).
You can get DLA even if no one is giving you the help you need and you live alone. You don't have to be paying a carer and it is up to you how you spend the money. You can still claim even if you get help from the council or health service.
What you get
DLA is a weekly benefit which is not taxable and is paid on top of any other money, benefits, pensions and savings you already have.
If you already get other benefits, a successful DLA claim could mean that these benefits increase - get advice. You may even find that you are entitled to these benefits for the first time.
Getting DLA will never mean that your other benefits go down.
Find out what the rates are by visiting the DirectGov website.
How to claim
Contact the Benefit Enquiry Line and ask for a form.
Currently you are given six weeks to return your form and your claim will then be dated from the day you telephoned. However, this is expected to be limited to two weeks at a future date.
Further information
Contact the Welfare Rights Service for more information on this or any other benefit or tax credit.
For more details, download our leaflet on benefits for sick or disabled people.