- How To Use the Guide
- Which Circumstances Box
- List of Means Tested Benefits and Tax Credits
- Additional Elements for Means-Tested Benefits and Tax Credits
- Calculating Means-Tested Benefits and Tax Credits
- Minimum Levels
- Passported Benefits
- Find contacts in your local area
- Benefit Rates 2011/12 (pdf file)
Disability Living Allowance
This is an extra costs benefit (see Introduction) for people with care and/or mobility needs which arise before the age of 65 and who make a claim before age 65. Provided the claim is made before the age of 65, benefit can continue to be paid after age 65. If you are over 65 and have not claimed Disability Living Allowance you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance is made up of two components: the care component (3 rates) and the mobility component (2 rates).
You qualify for the care component if, because of a disability, you reasonably require a certain level of supervision or care during the day and/or night or if you cannot prepare a cooked main meal for one. You do not have to be receiving care or supervision. You simply need to show that, because of a disability, it is reasonably required. The rate of benefit depends on the level of care require.
You qualify for the mobility component if you need guidance or supervision when walking outside in unfamiliar places (lower rate) or if you cannot walk at all or if you have a certain level of difficulty when walking (higher rate). There is a lengthy claim form to complete and you may find it useful to have help with it.
For help with forms and general advice please use the CONTACT's menu on the left to find details for your local authority area.
You may wish to note that Part 4 of the Welfare Reform Bill 2011 currently going through Parliament contains proposals to introduce the Personal Independence Payment or PIP. The PIP will replace the working age disability living allowance (DLA) from 2013-14.