Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for disabled people. It's a monthly, tax-free payment, but it’s gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payment. 

What are the eligibility criteria for DLA?

Disability Living Allowance has been discontinued by the government and is gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payment. However, some people can continue to claim DLA if:

• You were born before 8 April 1948 and are already currently claiming DLA
• You are claiming on behalf of a disabled person under the age of 16

To continue to claim DLA you will need to show that you meet the criteria for either or both of the two components – the ‘care component’ and the ‘mobility component’.

You may be eligible for the care component if you require help with everyday tasks such as cooking or dressing, and don’t have anyone giving you the care you need (such as a family member).

You may be eligible for the mobility component if you have severe difficulties walking without assistance.

Both components have levels of severity which determine the rate of DLA you will be eligible for (see DLA rates below).

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

If you are unsure when you reach State Pension age, you can find out on the GOV.UK website

I already claim 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 2024.