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Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for disabled people, but it’s gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payment.

On this page we’ll explain:

What is Disability Living Allowance?

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit that helps with the extra costs you may face if you're disabled. However, it’s gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payment.

Which disability benefit should I be claiming?

If you haven’t already claimed DLA then you’ll need to find out which benefit you should claim, as there are different ones depending on your age:

  • If you haven’t already claimed DLA and you’re under 65, then Personal Independence Payment is the benefit you need to look into.
  • If you haven’t already claimed DLA and you’re 65 or over, then the benefit to claim is Attendance Allowance.

I already get Disability Living Allowance – will I be reassessed?

If you’re already claiming DLA, you may be wondering about what will happen as the benefit is replaced.

It all depends on your age:

  • If you were born on or before 8 April 1948 you can continue to receive DLA as long as you still have care or mobility needs.
  • If you were born after 8 April 1948, then you will be reassessed for Personal Independence Payment instead.

If you need to move over to Personal Independence Payment, you’ll get a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about this.

How much should I get?

If you’re already on DLA and want to know how much you should be getting, here are the weekly payment rates from April 2017.

Care component Weekly rate How much support you need
Highest rate £83.10 Need help day or night
Middle rate £55.65 Need help day or night
Lowest rate £22.00 Need help only some of the day or with cooking meals

Mobility component Weekly rate How much support you need
Higher rate £58.00 You're only able to walk a short way before feeling out of breath, dizzy or unsteady, or if you're not able to walk at all outdoors
Lowest rate £22.00 You need help walking outdoors in places you don't know because of a physical or mental disability, such as deafness or dementia

For more information: Call Age UK Advice: 0800 169 2081

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