Disability living allowance

What is it?

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a non-contributory, tax-free, non-means-tested benefit for severely disabled people. The Care Component has three rates of payment and the Mobility Component has two rates of payment.

The Care Component can be claimed from birth up to the claimant’s 65th birthday. The Mobility Component can be claimed from the age of five years up the claimant’s 65th birthday for the lower rate and from the age of three years up to claimant’s 65th birthday for the higher rate.

How do you satisfy the disability conditions for an award of Disability Living Allowance?

Care Component

The person:

• needs frequent care or a lot of supervision during the day and night;
• needs care during the day or night but not all day or all night;
• has a terminal illness;
• cannot prepare a main meal of the day.

Mobility Component

The person:

• is unable or virtually unable to walk;
• suffers exertion when required to walk that could be a risk to their health;
• has a severe behavioural problem due to mental disability;
• needs guidance or supervision out of doors from another person;
• is both deaf and blind and need someone with them when outdoors.

Who can claim Disability Living Allowance?

To be eligible, a claimant must:

• be normally living in the UK and currently living in the UK and have been here for 26 out of the last 52 weeks;
• have satisfied the disability conditions of Disability Living Allowance for three months before the date of the claim and show that they will continue to satisfy the criteria for at least six months after the date of the claim. (This does not apply to terminally ill people who apply under the Special Rules).

Application forms can be obtained by telephoning 0800 882200 or 08457 123456.

Information can be found on the Department of Work and Pensions website (www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/disability_liv_allowance.asp)