Advice | 79 Comments |
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Adult claimants cannot make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
The replacement benefit is Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
People who are already receiving DLA are also being reassessed over a period of time and transferred to PIP.
If you disagree with the Benefit decision
What is the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?
• a benefit that is paid if you need help looking after yourself
• for a child aged 3 or over who is unable or virtually unable to walk, or would be at risk if they tried walking
• 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.
How much is it?
Weekly amounts from April 2026:
Paid because you need looking after (care component)
Higher rate – £114.60
Middle rate – £76.70
Lower rate – £30.30
Paid to help you get around (mobility component)
Higher rate – £80
Lower rate – £30.30
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.
Phone the DLA Enquiry Line – Telephone: 0800 121 4600 or Textphone: 0800 121 4523 for a claim form. You can also apply on-line. You will need to give proof of identity and may need to provide evidence to support your claim.
About the medical examination
Claims for DLA now require you to have a medical examination. This is intended to establish how your illness or disability affects you over time, not just on the day you are examined. Make sure you are prepared, by thinking in advance about whether/how your health varies, so that you can tell the healthcare professional examining you if it is a good day or not; what you are able to do on a typical day.
Be ready to explain how much help you need during the day and at night, in order to manage normal daily tasks. If your mobility is limited, think about what causes problems for you; how far you can walk; what aids you need to get around.
You should allow about an hour for the medical examination, though it might take much less, particularly if the examiner has just one specific issue they want to focus on. You need to have ID – either your passport, or three documents chosen from among: birth certificate; full driving licence; life assurance policy; bank statements.
You have the right to have someone with you for support during the examination. They may be interviewed separately, as well. You may be given a physical examination as well as the interview. If so, make sure that you tell the examiner if you are feeling pain: you shouldn’t be asked to do anything that causes discomfort.
The examiner will write up their report and submit it to the person who makes a decision about DLA. You won’t normally see the report before it is submitted, but you can ask for a copy from the office dealing with your request, and they will post it to you.
Changes in your circumstances
If your circumstances change, you must inform Disability and Carers Service. The amount of DLA you receive may change as a result. Because DLA is paid on account of needs arising from your disability, not the disability itself, even if your condition remains the same, you may find that a change of medication, for example, has an effect on your ability to cope.
Equally, surgery such as hip replacement might relieve mobility problems, or fitting of a new prosthetic could make it easier for you to walk. Or you might find that your abilities deteriorate with time, meaning that you need more help to move around or manage everyday tasks.
Notifying changes is your responsibility, and you can be prosecuted if you don’t do so. You can phone the DLA Enquiry Line – Telephone: 0800 121 4600 or Textphone: 0800 121 4523. Or the e-mail address is DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
If you disagree with the Benefit decision
As well as an assessment for every new claim, existing claimants of disability benefits are gradually being assessed (and will be regularly reassessed in the future) to see whether they are still eligible.
The computerised assessment has come in for a lot of criticism, and currently, at least four out of ten appeals against the original assessment are successful. So if you believe the decision about DLA to be incorrect, it is worth taking it to appeal.
The first step is to contact the DLA Enquiry Line – Telephone: 0800 121 4600 or Textphone: 0800 121 4523 and ask them to explain the decision.
There is a time limit of one month from receiving the decision to ask for it to be reconsidered, or to make an appeal. People with proper representation at the tribunal are much more likely to succeed, so make sure that you have the support you need. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to advise you on this.
You can download the form you need to start the appeals procedure from the Directgov website.
79 Replies to “Disability Living Allowance (DLA)”
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I failed to inform the DLA department of a change to my banking details and as a result I was contacted and told payments had been returned because the.This was before Xmas and I completed the form giving my account details to show where my payments should be sent.Since that time I have had no contact and no payments have been received. Regards Mr T.Watson
Hello Terence
I would get back in touch with the DWP and ask for an update on the situation. It shouldn’t take too long to update banking details.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hello! Recently we moved abroad to one of the EU countries. My son was born in UK and has pre-settled status. Is he still entitled to receive DLA benefit from UK until he turns 16? His father still lives and works in UK. It’s unpossible to contact DWP to ask about it.
Hello Aurelija
As far as I can see, the care component of DLA can still be claimed if living in an EU country, but not the mobility component.
This is what the Disability Law Service has to say about it:
Claimants of PIP (Living Component) and DLA (Care Component) can now continue to claim their benefits in another EEA country if:
1. They already live in another EEA country (you don’t need to have claimed in the UK before you move) – To qualify, you must be a habitual resident in the EEA country or Switzerland, and have a genuine link with the UK social security system, (for example, you’ve lived or worked in the UK).
2. Are going abroad permanently to another EEA country –
To qualify, you or a family member must:
(a) Work in the UK or pay National Insurance in the UK because of work; (b) have paid enough National Insurance to qualify for contribution-based benefits; and (c) are getting State Pension, Industrial Injuries Benefit, contribution-based ESA or bereavement benefits.
As your situation is quite unusual, I would recommend getting some individual advice about it. The organisation quoted here offers free advice – this is a link to their website: https://dls.org.uk/free-advice/ (external link will open in a new browser tab or window)
Hello
Can I know if dla grant deals with or have any connection with granting a toilet for my son ? How to apply & wats the eligibility plz?
Hello Shumaila
DLA is a regular payment, not a grant, paid to help with the additional costs of living with a disability. It’s been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for new applicants.
If you are looking for a grant to fund a home adaptation such as a specialist toilet, you want a disabled facilities grant. You will find all the information you need on this page: https://www.independentliving.co.uk/advice/disabled-facilities-grants/
If your son is under 18, the grants are not means-tested.
Best wishes, Frances
I have received two letters today 08 April 2024 regarding my deceased husband who passed away in on 20 August 2022.
The letters states that I have informed you about a Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 which I have not received for my deceased husband, this is not true. I have also been informed that this will be paid into my bank. I have tried to telephone regarding this but have been left hanging on for over two hours.
Please advise, this is extremely worrying and upsetting for me .
Hello Judith
Unfortunately, telephone seems to be the only way of contacting the DWP about benefits. This must be particularly upsetting for you as it concerns your deceased husband. These are all the DWP phone numbers I have been able to find:
Main Telephone: 0800 731 0469
Other Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Alternative Telephone: 0345 600 0723
Helpline: 0800 328 5644.
I would try all of them in sequence until you manage to talk to somebody. But as you have discovered, it’s likely to involve a long wait.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
How can I get a copy of my entitlement to dla? I urgently need a copy to enable me to get a blue badge for my son
I have received my claim for my daughter, yet it was not back dated even though the forms were sent back in the time frame.
Hi, I need some help I’ve been ringing over the past few weeks and it’s taking over and hour and half if not nearly 2 hours to wait for someone to answer when I judt want to swap bank details over for my sons dla. I’m not able to phone so is there another way to get this sorted? Thanks.
Hello Laura
You can write and let them know about the new bank details for your son’s DLA.
If he is under 16, the address is: Freepost DWP DLA Child
If he is over 16, it is:
Department for Work & Pensions
Disability Living Allowance
Freepost RUEY-BBKJ-SXJH
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 2GJ
You don’t need to put a stamp on the envelope.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi there I’m wondering how I change my son’s DLA award from low rate mobility to high rate? I feel his condition has worsened and getting from ato be is more difficult so just need to know how I apply to change this? We already receive high rate care for him. I’m currently on hold to the DLA office for 54 minutes and counting! I feel the number is on a loop so I might not even get through to any body! Thank you
Hello Natalie
I’m afraid it is a question of phoning 0800 121 4600 to let them know that your son’s condition has worsened.
They don’t provide alternative ways of getting in touch.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
Absolutely shocking service, you guys operate in the dark ages, only can make contact via phone, my Wife was on the phone for over an hour and a half waiting and all she wanted to know was if you had received an application for our Son only to be told that you haven’t got it……an hour and a half!!!!! to be told in thirty seconds that. If you had an email address or was structured a bit better it would save all this negative responses on here. Let’s hope when the new Government come into play at the next election they are actually able to make some of their services efficient and customer friendly because this is simply beyond shocking!!!
Hello Mark
You’re right – it is a shocking service, and an email address would certainly make life a little bit easier. But it isn’t us providing it! This is Independent Living, the online information resource – we don’t have anything to do with benefits. I hope that you get your son’s DLA application sorted out soon.
Best wishes,
Frances
The Government have designed the application and contact system this way on purpose, and will short staff it on purpose. So that the system slows applications downs, puts people off, gets relatives to bail potential claimants out for longer, or totally discourages applicants.
Hello I haven’t been paid I have been on the phone for 1 hour but my phone after they picked up I kept saying hello but they just cut the phone I just wanted to know why I haven’t been paid I tried different emails nothing is working
CAN A GET MY DLA BACK THAT’S BEEN GOING INTO MY PARTENERS BANK ACCOUNT AS A CAN’T GET ACCESS TO IT BECAUSE HE IS IN PRISON? + COULDN’T I ALSO GET PAYRD THROUGH PHONE?
Hi I was on the phone for one hour still didn’t get through. I found your email address but also did not work. How can I contact you.
Hi Rubeena
Unfortunately, emailing the DWP no longer seems to work. You have to persevere on the phone…
Good luck, Frances
Hi I’m having the same trouble have you managed to get through to them
I have been on the phone today for 40 minutes trying to get through to speak to someone reference my mums DLA and to ask for a letter of communication to be sent to my mum of how much she is getting now. I have a LPA for my mum and trying to sort out her finances and I have not seen a letter from yourselves to my mum since 2021.
Please can you send an up to date correspondence
Unfortunately, we are not anything to do with the benefits system. We are in information website. If you contact the DWP, they should be able to provide what you need.
Best wishes,
Frances
This service is a massive joke. Assume a lack of staff is resulting in ridiculous phone waiting times, or a lack of common sense to increase staff numbers. Waiting on the phone for over an hour at a time is difficult when you have a poorly child to look after constantly, and then to be cut off is just unacceptable. The one time we got through were then told “sorry you’re through to the wrong person, I can’t help you” and not even put through to someone who could. The whole way it is operated is BS. Annoying that it could take 3months for a decision, but that’s the the main thing, we just want to know if our application was received. 2 weeks for acknowledgement apparently? No chance, we’ve waited 5 weeks and if it’s not been received need to be sending another instead of waiting around in limbo, so it would be great to get through and just be simply told if the form is with them. But no, it’s turned into a game by people who can’t simply put an email address to contact or run an online contact chat because they like to pass the buck and avoid owning up to being a poorly run organisation
Need to tax vehicle I’ve sent letter asking for confirmation of higher rate mobility so I can do so.
Previously just went to post office and over the counter no probs !!
Apparently now need to have relevant reg number on paperwork.
Still waiting ?
This service is extremely stressful. Having a 24 hour care son who has cerebral passed,brain damage a shunt and is peg fed ud think this benefit would be straight forward. Looking after a severely disabled 8 year old is hard enough and the cost of living,as a single parent and 15 year old daughter, to have this service made extremely difficult Is extremely worrying and stressful. I suffer with severe anxiety and depression and struggle greatly with forms and phone calls..to be waiting on the phone every day for around an hour and a half is an outrage! My son has been on high rate care and dla for 7 years so it should be pretty straight forward to renew his claim…clearly from his diagnosis his disability are not going to change yet this benefit still wants me to go over all what he can and can’t do again which I find very upsetting …they are no help w
Either when u do get through its bn 5weeks since I put forms in and iv had no confirmation or correspondence from them atoll. Not even to let me know they’ve received them. Now my money has bn affected so its gonna affect my other bills to! It feels as if its made difficult intentionally. I am dreading another stressful day waiting on the phone to hopefully speak to someone today!! Fed up stressed and sick of worrying.
Steven Perry
I have schizophrenia and Parkinson and have not had my cost of living
I am calling three times a day only to be put onto an automated message where they then say goodbye and hang up
I am not being put through to the right people
I have called 3 seperate occasions asking for a copy of my decision letter. We have doubled checked the address with them and I still have not had a copy. The decision was made against my daughter’s claim in February 2023, I had to call up to find this information out. The service is extremely unreliable and we aren’t getting any help at all
I tried to contact DLA today as i still didn’t received payment following claim again procedure. Was held for over 52mins n continued…i had to hang up.
They know there will be bombardment of emails hence you cant get in touch via email.
Reluct..’ly i will have to go back in time and get The Pen ? & paper ? out. Hope i get reply within 6 months.
Today I try to get in touch with DLA 5 times I went through the system I just wanted to find out where about my claim was. I finally got through but was on hold for an hour then got cut off, it’s impossible to try to talk to someone, I understand it’s very busy for you all but I’ve been waiting 15 weeks and worried my son is going to be declined this. Kind regards
Hi , I’ve applied for dla for my 5 year old son . He has an EHC plan in place for school and was adviced to try and receive dla, however I send off all forms and what the school had said etc about 4 weeks ago .
I’ve had no confirmation that they have received the forms and I ring daily to speak to somone and no one ever ever answers the phone .
I’ve really been struggling with my son lately aswell so this would be a welcome help to get him out and get him busy . Any advice would be appreciated xxxx
Hey my son has possible glue ear in both ears and I’ve been referred to the hospital when will be the best time to apply for dla do I do it when it’s been confirmed? Thank you
Hi I was waiting on the phone yesterday for well over an hour to DLA! I was cut off twice and had to go back through the system. It’s terrible trying to contact them! I need to have a DLA to prove my claim that I’m in receipt of receiving DLA high rate. I need for Motability to order a new vehicle. The last letter I had was 7years ago because I’ve a wheelchair accessible vehicle. I need to order a new one, so I have to have a more up to date letter stating my entitlements. Trying to get through is extremely hard work. If you’ve got conditions you can’t always stay on the phone to long. I had carers coming in trying to do what they have to do. So I had no choice but to say all my personal business whilst on the phone. I didn’t want to put the phone down cos I got cut off twice! It’s terrible trying to get through!
I can never get through via telephone. Sent DLA form through post back in March and I haven’t received any contact. Please help?
Hello,
I applied for DLA over 3 weeks ago I still haven’t received letter of confirmation? I have tried all week and cannot get though! Is there another way to confirm they have my application???
I’m exactly the same , I’ve not had any confirmation that they have even received my claim , been 4 weeks now . I ring mutiple times a day and I wait for over 45 min on the phone . No one ever picks up ? Just want to knw where I am with it all
Hi, just wondered if you had any luck? I sent my renewal forms for my son back in April and can’t contact them! ?
I applied for child dla on the 24th January have not heard nothing back
Ring them I applied too ring them on the morning you get through quick
I cant get in contact with DLA, i haven’t received my letter this year stating that i am on life disability, i need that letter to show my garage where i get my Motability car from, also i need a copy to show and apply for my blue badge.
It is impossible to get through on the phone to ask them to send me a copy of this letter.
As Above from Karen
How can I get a copy of my entitlement to DLA I urgently need a copy to enable me to renew my blue badge
I have sent my DLA form off but have extra information to send in where do I send this too, is there an email address or do I need to send it by post ?
I sent my claim for DLA for my son off end of march but I haven’t received a confirmation letter or text from dwp to say they have received my claim
I applied for my daughter months ago (Approx Jan) I have had 2 texts messsages and 1 letter advising me that it is in the system and they will contact me again once done. Its now April, I have heard nothing since March I assume they must have a back log. I have tried on multiple occasions to contact them but just on hold for over an hour each time.
Hi, have you had any luck? I’m going insane sitting on hold every day!
Can take up to 3 / 6 months
Hi, I made a new claim on the 3rd march for my child but I have heard nothing since, is this normal?
Can take up to 3 / 6 months x
I am the same? Did you receive a letter of confirmation? I haven’t even had that and can’t get though on phone!
Hope yours is sorted soon 🙂
Snap. Finally got through 4 weeks ago and told it should have been received and another would be sent and should be received in 3-5 working days but still waiting. I’m currently waiting (again) for someone to answer the phone!! How can disabled people be expected to live independently I wonder?
Hi I just wanted to know is my disability money going up this month as I haven’t received any letters from you to let me know if it’s going up or not
Hello Anthony
We aren’t anything to do with benefit payments, we are an information website. But benefit rates have gone up in April, in line with inflation, so you should receive an increase.
Best wishes,
Frances
Received my payment today and it was £518.15. My previous payments were for £505.40. I thought as of this month it was to go up by 10%. Therefore my payment should’ve been £556.40. I haven’t received my letter from the dwp informing of the increase that I’ve received every other year. Anybody know why I’m £38.25 short?
I am atill waiting to hear about my aon dla
Hi, I have DLA, and I am usually informed of new rates payable, in March each year. However, I have not received the usual advice for 2023. Are there any known delays in the system? Thanks.
Does anyone have the email address for DLA so I can send a report for my claim please?
Hello Micaela,
We have found some chat about contacting the DWP by email which says @dwp.gsi.gov.uk addresses have changed to @dwp.gov.uk So I suggest you try emailing DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gov.uk and see whether that works.
Good luck and best wishes,
Liane
What date does DLA increase. The internet states the 10/04/23. My benefit was paid on the 11/04/23 with no increase. Please clarify. Thank you
Hello Brian
DLA is paid in arrears, so the money you received on 11th April was at the rate prevailing before the increase. If you receive payments every four weeks, as is usual, the payment you get on 9th May should be at the new rate.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi, i am trying to contact DLA regarding a childs DLA changing from monthly payments due to learning difficulties of parent and budgeting skills, the email address shown above DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk does not exist and the number given just provides automated options then cuts me off after 3 minutes. Any idea’s how i can contact them?
That is a good question, David.
I have found a postal address: Freepost DWP DLA Child
I have also found some chat about contacting the DWP by email which says @dwp.gsi.gov.uk addresses have changed to @dwp.gov.uk So I suggest you try emailing DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gov.uk and see whether that works.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
No unfortunately that does not work either, and just bounces. They are literally uncontactable.
My son hasn’t received his DLA entitlement letter this year. He usually gets it in February but nothing received yet. He has been getting DLA indefinitely.
Thanks.
Hello Audrey
I’m afraid the DWP seems to have become slower than ever with communications. If your son has an indefinite award, it will just continue anyway unless or until they get in touch, or you contact then due to a change in circumstances.
Best wishes,
Frances
Been trying to contact someone for a month but can never get through on the phone ?
Hi my mums freind is 72 years old and has a lifetime award DLA high mobility but 12 years ago he was in hospital before that he was getting care and mobility components but they never reinstated the care component just the mobility for the last 12 years he has been paying for a cleaner and meals on wheels as well as having to buy electric rise and fall chars and electric bed as he cant lie flat because of damage to his lungs
His condition hadn’t changed when he was discharged as the reason he got DLA was due to a fire were his skin and lungs were burnt and jumping from a 4th floor window he broke a lot of bones none of that changed i know we cant do anything about it now its to late but his health has deteriorated even more
could he do a change of circumstance and apply for the care component of DLA or would he have to claim AA which he doesnt want to as he has a scooter on Motability scheme & without that he cant get out
Hello
I would be very careful about asking for a reassessment. He might be asked to apply for Attendance Allowance instead, given his age. As you say, this would mean losing the Motability scooter.
Best wishes,
Frances
can you tell me if my PIP has gone up this year. I get the higher rate my ref: ZY0451958 thank you
Hello Carol. To get an answer to your question, you can phone the DLA Enquiry Line – Telephone: 0800 121 4600 or Textphone: 0800 121 4523. Or the e-mail address is DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Hope this helps.
Best wishes, Liane
This email address does not exist
How do I find out if I could get extra money for my disability?
Hello Julia. You can get in touch with DLA through their phone line – Telephone: 0800 121 4600 or Textphone: 0800 121 4523 for a claim form.
Let me know if there’s anything else that you want to ask.
Best wishes, Liane
Can i not cancel my DLA because i have been caused worry over my car, job in civil service as a sickness benefit admin officer and this has caused a marriage to be ended. I hope to return to the civil service because i cannot give up my home because i have no income like in 2000. I usually go on holiday and have not even been given enough funds i can trust to spend because of the fear.
Hello Diane
I don’t think there are any issues about cancelling a benefit – you simply let them know that your circumstances have changed and you no longer require it.
But it doesn’t seem right that you should forego financial support you are entitled to – and don’t forget that you can’t make a new application for DLA as an adult, if you change your mind in the future. It would need to be PIP instead.
Have you been notified of a reassessment? If so, it would be a good idea to get some support to help you – your local Citizens Advice is a good place to start.
Best wishes, Frances
how do i email the dla department
Hello! You can email them via DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Best wishes, Liane
I’ve emailed them however the email address no longer exists?
Hello Amy
I have found some chat about contacting the DWP by email which says @dwp.gsi.gov.uk addresses have changed to @dwp.gov.uk So I suggest you try emailing DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gov.uk and see whether that works.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
How can I get a copy of my entitlement to dla? I urgently need a copy to enable me to renew my blue badge