What is the Disability Living Allowance?

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit paid to people under the age of 65 who need help to look after themselves and/or to get around because of a long-term health problem or disability. It is not based on the diagnosis of a particular disability or illness but on the effects of disability on the individual.

According to the Government “It is the information about care and/or mobility needs which a person provides on the claim form, supported by medical reports where necessary, which determine entitlement.”

Disability Living Allowance is not compensation for being disabled. It is not condition specific, any condition that creates a disabling aspect to your life can be considered. It is supposed to be a contribution to the extra costs faced by severely disabled people as a result of their care and/or mobility needs. If a person has Narcolepsy, entitlement to Disability Living Allowance will be based on the level of supervision or attention required inside and outside the home arising from that condition.

There are two parts to the benefit:

1. Care component
   The care component is paid to people who need help to look after themselves e.g. with washing, dressing and can be paid at one of three different rates; lower, middle or higher. There is no lower age limit for claiming the care component (unless a claim is made on the basis of not being able to prepare a main meal when the claimant must be aged 16 or over).
2. Mobility Component
   The mobility component is for people who, because of their illness or disability, have difficulties walking. It is paid at one of two rates; lower or higher. The higher rate can be paid from the age of three years; the lower rate from the age of five years.

Getting the higher rate of the mobility component can mean that the person you look after can get a blue badge for their car from social services and exemption from road tax.