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> Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people over 16
Disability Living Allowance
This benefit is dealt with by The Disability and Carers Service. Find your Disability Benefits Centre here.
What is the DLA?
• a benefit that is paid if you need help looking after yourself
• if you are aged 3 or over and have severe difficulty walking, or aged 5 or over and need help getting around
• it is paid at different rates depending on how your disability affects you
When can you claim?
If you have needed help for 3 months because of a severe physical or mental illness or disability, and are you likely to need it for at least another 6 months, you can claim DLA.
You must claim before you reach age 65, unless you are switching from the Invalid Vehicle Service
There are special rules for people with a terminal illness to help them get DLA quickly and easily.
Notes
If you are getting DLA when you reach age 65, it can continue as long as you still need the help.
You can get DLA even if no one is actually giving you the care you need.
You may not get DLA if you are in hospital or residential care.
DLA is not affected by savings.
DLA is not usually affected by other money you have coming in.
DLA is usually ignored as income for working out Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance.
How much is it?
Weekly amounts:
Paid because you need looking after (care component)
Higher rate - £64.50
Middle rate - £43.15
Lower rate - £17.10
Paid to help you get around (mobility component)
Higher rate - £45.00
Lower rate - £17.10
These amounts should be treated as a guide. The rules for benefits mean that your individual circumstances may affect the amount you can get, so you can't always work out exactly how much you will get.
How to claim
Claim straight away. If you delay you may lose benefit.
Contact your local office for a claim form, or download one here. You will need to give proof of identity and may need to provide evidence to support your claim.
If you receive Disability Living Allowance, you may be entitled to free home insulation from npower - click the link to find out more.