Disability Living Allowance

Disability
Theory and models Disability theory Ableism / Disablism Medical model Social model
Education Mainstreaming Individualized Education Program (IEP) Special needs Special school Special education Learning disability
Therapy Physical Occupational Speech
Societal implications Disability rights movement Inclusion Normalisation People-first language Pejorative terms
Personal assistance Personal care assistant (ADLs) Orthotics and braces Prosthetics Assistive technology Assisted living Mobility aid Physical accessibility Universal design Web accessibility
Socioeconomic assistance Social Security Disability Insurance Supplemental Security Income Ticket to Work Disability Living Allowance Disabled students allowance Disabled Persons Railcard Freedom Pass Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped
Groups Organizations Society for Disability Studies Disabled Peoples' International (DPI) Visitability
Disabled sports Special Olympics Paralympic Games Deaflympics Invictus Games
Culture Disability in the arts Disability art Disability in the media
Disability portal Disability Lists

Disability living allowance (DLA) is a non-means-tested, non-contributory benefit in the United Kingdom introduced in 1992 and scheduled for phase-out between 2013 and 2016, in relation to adults only, for whom it is to be replaced by a new Personal Independence Payment.^[1]

DLA can be claimed by a UK resident aged under 65 years who has personal care and/or mobility needs as a result of a mental or physical disability. It is tax free.

Eligibility

DLA is restricted to people who fall into all of the in the following categories:

They must ordinarily be resident and present in the UK
They must meet the rules concerning age: typically they must be under 65 when they claim;^[2] the lower age limit depends on which component they are claiming
They must not be living in certain types of residential accommodation
They must have had a disability for at least 3 months, and expect it to continue for at least six more months
They must have care and/or mobility needs.

Individuals can qualify for DLA whether or not they are working. Earnings do not affect the amount of DLA received. People who are terminally ill typically qualify for the highest rate of Care component of DLA under what is termed "special rules".

Care component

DLA Care component is paid at one of three rates: lowest, middle and highest. From April 2013 the rates are:

Care component	Weekly rate
Highest rate	£79.15
Middle rate	£53.00
Lowest rate	£21.00

Lowest rate eligibility

Individuals are entitled to the lowest rate care component if they are so severely disabled that they:

require another person to give them attention in connection with their bodily functions for a significant portion of the day during a single period or a number of periods; or
cannot prepare a cooked main meal for themselves provided they have all the ingredients and are aged 16 or over.

Middle rate eligibility

Individuals are entitled to the middle rate care component if they are so severely disabled that they:

require another person to give them frequent attention throughout the day in connection with their bodily functions; or
require prolonged or repeated attention during the night in connection with their bodily functions; or
require continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others; or
require, another person to be awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals at night, for the purpose of watching over them in order to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others.

Highest rate eligibility

Individuals are entitled to the highest rate care component if they meet one of the day conditions and one of the night conditions for the middle rate care component.

Mobility component

DLA Mobility component is paid at one of two rates: lower and higher. From April 2013 the rates are:

Mobility component	Weekly rate
Higher rate	£55.25
Lower rate	£21.00

Lower rate eligibility

Individuals are entitled to the lower rate mobility component if they are so severely mentally or physically disabled that they cannot walk outdoors on an unfamiliar route without guidance or supervision from another person most of the time.

Higher rate eligibility

Individuals are entitled to the higher rate mobility component if they:-

are physically disabled and as a result are unable, or virtually unable, to walk; or
are physically disabled and the exertion required to walk would endanger their life or health; or
have had both legs amputated at or above the ankle, or were born without legs or feet; or are blind and deaf and need someone with them outdoors.
are severely mentally impaired and have severe behavioural problems and receive the highest rate care component.

Mobility allowances are structured to provide persons with disabilities with mechanical aids to their mobility, which may include wheelchairs, scooters, or automobiles.^[3]

References

↑ http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/disability/personal-independence-payment/
↑ Those over 65 with care needs should consider claiming Attendance Allowance instead.
↑ "”Motability Guide”". UKMobility. Retrieved March 15, 2015.

External links

Guardian Special Report - State Benefits

State benefits in the United Kingdom

Current

Income assistance

Working age	Working Tax Credit Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Income Support Carer's Allowance Employment and Support Allowance

Old age	State Pension Pension Credit

Disability relief

Child support

Child benefit
Child Tax Credit

Combination

Universal Credit

Other

Bereavement Benefit
Housing Benefit

Ambiguous

Education Maintenance Allowance (abolished in England only)

Former

Council Tax Benefit
Incapacity Benefit
Severe Disablement Allowance
Supplementary Benefit
Invalidity Benefit
Sickness Benefit