Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children and adults who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled.
DLA is payable to people aged under 65 who have needed help with personal care (such as washing, dressing, eating or communicating their needs, or perhaps need supervision to avoid putting themselves or others in danger) for three months, and are likely to need this help or have the above difficulties for at least another six months. People who have progressive disease and are not reasonably expected to live for more than six months can get DLA quicker and easier via a special rule application.
There are three rates of care component depending on how your disability affects you:
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The lowest rate, if you need help or supervision for some of the day or you are unable to prepare a cooked main meal
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The middle rate, if you need help or supervision frequently throughout the day, or during the night, or someone with you while on dialysis
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The highest rate, if you need help or supervision frequently throughout the day and during the night
Some people who make a claim for Disability Living Allowance may be asked to have a medical examination. This is usually because more information about the disability or illness is needed before a decision by the Disability and Carers Service (DCS) can be made. The DSC is responsible for deciding whether to approve the claim and what level of the benefit may be received.
Quarterly statistics, based on a five per cent sample of DLA claimants, are published on the DWP and Nomis websites.
