What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax free benefit for people under the age of 65 and who need help looking after themselves and/or find it difficult to walk or get around because of an illness or disability.
- DLA is not means tested - your income and savings (or those of your partner) are not looked at when the decision is made about awarding DLA.
- Receiving DLA may entitle you to other benefits (or increase the value of those benefits).
- DLA is available whether you live alone or with other people.
- DLA is made up of two components - mobility and care. You can claim and be awarded one or both of them.
For further information about DLA see our factsheets.
Who qualifies for Disability Living Allowance?
To claim DLA you must:
- be under 65 years old when you first claim
- have needed help for the past three months
- expect to need help for at least a further six months.
How much is DLA worth?
Mobility component
There are two rates of the mobility component:
- Higher rate - £55.25 per week for people aged 3-65
- Lower rate - £21.00 per week for people aged 5–65
Care component
There are three rates of the care component:
- Higher rate - £79.15 per week
- Middle rate - £53.00 per week
- Lower rate - £21.00 per week
People who are terminally ill
People who are terminally ill (where death can reasonably be expected within 6 months) automatically get the higher rate of the care component. The person does not need to have required help for the previous 6 months.
These claims are dealt with quicker than standard claims.
This is known as claiming under Special Rules and the gov.uk website has more information about what you need to do to claim.
How to apply
Getting help with filling in the application form
The form is quite long and complicated but there is help available.
Form filling guides
Use our form filling guides if you need help with the application form.
Online support
Many organisations supporting people with specific conditions offer advice on form filling on their websites. See our How to get advice page for details.
In person
Our Benefits advice sessions page lists local organisations that can offer help with filling in forms.
Existing claims
To discuss an existing claim:
- Phone 08457 123456
- Textphone 08457 22 44 33
If you are refused DLA
Our Challenging decisions page gives further advice if your claim is turned down or you do not believe you have been awarded the right rate of DLA.
