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Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

 
DLA is extra money for people aged under 65 who have an illness or disability. (If you are over 65, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance.) DLA has two parts: DLA Care and DLA Mobility. You can get both parts or just one.

Who can claim

You can claim DLA Care if you have a physical or mental illness or disability and:

  • need a lot of help looking after yourself - with things like getting out of bed, washing, dressing, eating, bathing, going to the toilet, managing your medication or communicating with other people (for example because you cannot see or hear), or
  • cannot prepare a cooked main meal for yourself, or
  • need supervision or care to prevent you hurting yourself or others.
You can claim DLA mobility if:

  • you have difficulties walking or need someone with you when walking outside.
You must have needed help for at least three months (unless you are terminally ill — then you can get help straight away).

You can get DLA even if no one is giving you the help you need and you live alone. You don't have to be paying a carer and it is up to you how you spend the money. You can still claim even if you get help from the council or health service.

What you get

DLA is a weekly benefit which is not taxable and is paid on top of any other money, benefits, pensions and savings you already have.

If you already get benefits, a successful DLA claim often means your other benefits increase too. If you get Income Support, it might increase by £50.35 a week if you live alone.

Getting DLA will NEVER mean your other benefits go down.

  • If you need help looking after yourself DLA Care is worth up to £67* a week.
  • If you have difficulties walking outdoors DLA Mobility is worth up to £46.75* a week.
  • Some people can get both DLA Care and DLA Mobility — this can mean up to an extra £113.75* a week.
*These amounts will increase in April 2009.

How to claim

Contact the Benefit Enquiry Line on freephone 0800 882 200 and ask for a form. Textphone users can call 0800 243 355.

Currently you are given six weeks to return your form and your claim will then be dated from the day you telephoned. However, this is expected to be limited to two weeks at a future date.

Further information

Contact Greenwich Welfare Rights Service using the number on the top-right or our online enquiry form for more information on this or any other benefit or tax credit.

For more details, download the benefits if you are sick or disabled leaflet.

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