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While many of us enjoy good health well into later life, some of us find we need help with daily living, so disability benefits can be vital.
If you have a disability, you may have difficulty walking around or getting about, or with personal care such as washing and dressing. You could get extra money to help you.
The two main benefits for disabled people are Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). They are not means-tested and receiving them will not reduce your other benefits. In fact, getting AA or DLA might mean that you are entitled to more benefits.
If you are under 65, you might be eligible for DLA. There are two components to DLA: care and mobility. You can claim one component or both, depending on your disability. They are paid at different rates depending on the level of difficulty you have. DLA can be worth up to £125 a week.
If you are over 65 and not already claiming DLA, you might be eligible for AA if you need help with your personal care. The rate you get depends on the help you need. It doesn't matter if you're actually getting help: the important thing is that you need it.
There are two weekly rates:
You can get a claim form for Attendance Allowance by calling the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 (textphone: 0800 24 33 55). You can also download a claim form or start a claim online at www.direct.gov.uk
When completing the form, don't underestimate your needs. Think about all the things you can't do, or have trouble with, because of your condition. For examples of what to consider when explaining your needs and more information about disability benefits, download our inforamtion guides More money in your pocket: a guide to claiming benefits for people over pension age and Claiming benefits: a guide for people of working age.
For help filling in these forms, contact your local Age UK, Citizens Advice Bureau or advice agency.
For more detailed information, see our free factsheets Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.
If you would like to talk to someone about your entitlement to benefits, call Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 6565. Use our online benefits calculator to find out if you might be eligible for these benefits.
Download More money in your pocket: a guide to claiming benefits for people over pension age (PDF 2MB)
Download Claiming benefits: a guide for people of working age (PDF 1MB)
Download the Disability Living Allowance factsheet (PDF 231 KB)
Download the Attendance Allowance factsheet (PDF 182 KB)
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