Disability Living Allowance
This is a benefit for disabled people and is paid if you have needed help for three months or more because of a severe physical or mental illness or disability, and likely to need it for at least another six months.
You need to be under 65 – if you are over 65 claim Attendance Allowance.
You need to have lived in Great Britain for at least 26 of the last 52 weeks and have an unrestricted right to live in Great Britain.
To apply
You need an application pack (ref DLA 1 or DLA 1 (Child) for children) which you can get by:
You should also know:
- there are special rules for people with a life expectancy of less than six months to help them get DLA quickly and easily
- you can get DLA even if no one is actually giving you the care you need
- you may not get DLA if you are in hospital or a care home
- DLA is not affected by savings
- DLA is not usually affected by other money you have coming in
- DLA is usually ignored as income for working out Income Support and Job Seekers’ Allowance.
It is strongly recommended that the form is filled in with the help of experienced staff at a carers' centre or advice centre. This will take about two hours and an appointment is recommended. Please check that the advice centre near you has experience of disability benefits.
Getting this benefit may mean that your carer can claim for Carer's Allowance.
National organisations
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