Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by other benefits.
If you already get DLA, your claim might end. You’ll get a letter telling you when this will happen and how you can apply for PIP or Adult Disability Payment.
See also:
Personal Independence Payment
Transfer from DLA to PIP
Disability Living Allowance for Children
Updated April 2023
Who can get Disability Living Allowance?
If you’re under 16
You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16 and you live in England or Wales.
If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Child Disability Payment.
If you’re over 16
You cannot apply for DLA. You can apply for:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you live in England or Wales and have not reached State Pension age
- Adult Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and have not reached State Pension age
- Attendance Allowance if you’re State Pension age or older and do not get DLA
If you already get DLA
If you were born on or before 8 April 1948, you’ll continue to get DLA as long as you’re eligible for it.
If you were born after 8 April 1948, your DLA will end. You’ll get a letter telling you when that will happen. You’ll continue to get DLA until that date.
Unless your circumstances change, you do not need to do anything until you get this letter.
If you live in Scotland, you can choose to move from DLA to Adult Disability Payment before your DLA claim ends by contacting the Disability Service Centre.
DLA rates
You can no longer apply for DLA. Check what other benefits you could apply for.
DLA is made up of 2 components (parts), the ‘care component’ and the ‘mobility component’. To get DLA you must be eligible for at least one of the components.
How much DLA you get depends on how your disability or health condition affects you.
If you need help looking after yourself
You might get the care component of DLA if you:
- need help with things like washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet or communicating your needs
- need supervision to avoid putting yourself or others in danger
- need someone with you when you’re on dialysis
- cannot prepare a cooked main meal
You can get this part if no one is actually giving you the care you need, or you live alone.
| Care component | Weekly rate | Level of help you need |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest | £26.90 | Help for some of the day or with preparing cooked meals |
| Middle | £68.10 | Frequent help or constant supervision during the day, supervision at night or someone to help you while on dialysis |
| Highest | £101.75 | Help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live |
If you get DLA and Constant Attendance Allowance, the care component of your DLA will be reduced by the amount of Constant Attendance Allowance you get.
If you have walking difficulties
You might get the mobility component of DLA if, when using your normal aid, you:
- cannot walk
- can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort
- could become very ill if you try to walk
You might also get it if you:
- have no feet or legs
- are assessed as 100% blind and at least 80% deaf and you need someone with you when outdoors
- are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and get the highest rate of care for DLA
- need supervision most of the time when walking outdoors
- are certified as severely sight impaired and you were aged between 3 and 64 on 11 April 2011
| Mobility component | Weekly rate | Level of help you need |
|---|---|---|
| Lower | £26.90 | Guidance or supervision outdoors |
| Higher | £71 | You have any other, more severe, walking difficulty |
You must contact the Disability Service Centre if your circumstances change, for example your condition improves or you need more help.
How you’re paid
DLA is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Wednesday.
If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you will usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.
All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Extra help
You could get extra benefits if you get Disability Living Allowance – check with the Disability Service Centre or the office dealing with your benefit.
If your disability or health condition stops you from working and you’re eligible for Universal Credit, you could get an extra amount on top of your Universal Credit standard allowance.
If you get DLA and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,685 a year, or up to £5,480 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.
Updated April 2023