Disability living allowance (DLA)
Disability living allowance is awarded to children and adults aged 64 and under, who have care and/or mobility needs.
Disability living allowance is paid at different rates depending on how the disability affects them. To qualify, you must have needed help for at least three months because of a severe physical or mental illness or disability, and be likely to need it for at least another six months.
Disability living allowance is tax-free and it does not take into consideration any other income or savings that you may have.
It is paid on top of any other earnings or income you may have.
You will be considered to have care needs if one or more of the following applies:
* you need help with ‘bodily functions’, for example, eating, washing, dressing and going to the toilet. It also includes help which enables someone to take part in social activities;
* you need supervision to stop being a danger to him/herself or others;
* you need help in preparing and cooking a main meal, for example, they cannot cope with heavy pans or cannot light a cooker;
* you are terminally ill.
You will be considered to have mobility needs if one or more of the following applies:
* you cannot walk outdoors or go on an unfamiliar route without guidance or supervision from another person most of the time; and/or
* you are unable to walk or have difficulty in walking. This may mean using a wheelchair, walking very slowly, walking with a lot of pain or effort or being unable to walk very far; and/or
* you have had both legs amputated or were born without legs or feet; and/or
* you are blind and deaf and need someone to help them out of doors; and/or
* you have severe learning difficulties and can behave very disruptively.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance (AA) is for people aged 65 or over who have care needs. You will be considered to have care needs if one or more of the following applies:
* you need help with ‘bodily functions’, for example, washing, dressing and going to the toilet. It can also include help which enables you to take part in social activities;
* you need supervision to stop yourself being a danger to yourself or others,
* you are terminally ill.
Help with completing benefit claim forms
Many people have found that their claims are more likely to be successful if they have had assistance with completing the claim forms.
Help can be obtained from ..
Benefits Agency
Tel: 0800 44 11 44
Disability Alliance Rights Advice Line
Tel: 020 7247 8763 (2pm – 4pm, Mondays and Wednesdays)
Citizens Advice Bureau
Telephone 020 7833 2181 for details of your local branch