Vocation Matters - Vocation, Choice & Inclusion

What is Disability Living Allowance?

You can claim DLA if you are disabled, are under 65 and need help to look after yourself or have difficulty walking or getting around. It is tax free and not means tested. DLA is a very beneficial benefit to claim as a successful claim may increase your income significantly. Individuals with all types of mental health need can meet the criteria for DLA. This is recognised on the form whereby encouragement / reminding are given equal weight to actual hands on support.

There are two components to disability living allowance. All of these levels are paid at different rates:

Care- higher, middle and lower

Mobility- higher and lower

You can get DLA if you are not actually receiving any help to look after yourself or to get around. The amount of savings you have does not affect your DLA. You can be in paid employment and still receive DLA as long as your health needs remain the same.

What are the rules for disability living allowance?

To receive disability living allowance you usually must:

be under 65
pass at least one of the disability tests
pass the qualifying period tests
pass the residence and presence tests, and not be subject to immigration control

Qualifying periods

You will need to have satisfied the disability tests for three months before you will be paid and must also be likely to continue to satisfy these tests for at least 6 months after the date of your first payment.

The residence and presence test

You must not be subject to any limitation on your right to stay in this country, such as a limitation on working or claiming benefits. There are exceptions to this rule, for example if you have refugee status or exceptional leave to remain or are a European Economic Area (EEA) national.

If you claim disability living allowance you also have to satisfy the residence and presence test. For this you must:

be ordinarily resident in the UK
be present in the UK for 26 weeks in the last 12 months (if you are claiming for a child who is under 6 months old he or she only need be present for 13 weeks).

How do I claim?

It is very important that you get assistance to complete a claim form for DLA. The forms are very long and are often confusing. It is therefore advisable to get benefits advice when making a claim. The Vocation Matters team can assist with a claim if necessary.

Call the Benefit Enquiry line and ask for a form:
Tel: 0800 88 22 00.

They will usually ask you a few questions to see if you qualify before sending the form. This form can take up to ten working days to be delivered.