Severe Disablement Allowance

Since April 2001 it has not been possible to make a new claim for Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA). You may have been able to claim if before April 2001 you were unable to work because of illness or disability.

Who is eligible?

You can't make a new claim for Severe Disablement Allowance.

But if you're already getting the allowance - you'll continue to receive it.

You may be entitled to Severe Disablement Allowance if before April 2001, you were:

incapable of work because of illness or disability for at least 28 weeks in a row
between 16 and 64 years old (special conditions apply for people aged 65 and over)

How much do you get?

If you've been getting Severe Disablement Allowance before April 2001 the current weekly rate is £62.95.

You may be getting an age-related additional weekly amount depending on your age when you became unable to work. For example if before April 2001 you were:

under 40 years old, you'll be eligible for an extra £13.80 (higher rate)
40 to 49, you'll be eligible for an extra £7.10 (middle rate)
50 to 59, you'll be eligible for an extra £5.60 (lower rate)

How it's paid

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account. This is the safest, most convenient and efficient method of payment.

How benefits and pensions are paid (money, tax and benefits section)

How to claim

You can't claim Severe Disablement Allowance if you're not getting it already.

But you may be able to claim if you received Severe Disablement Allowance before April 2001, and:

you stopped getting it for eight weeks or less
you stopped getting it for less than 104 weeks because you started work or training

If you think you may be able to claim or require further advice contact your local Social Security / Jobs and Benefits Office.

Social Security/Jobs and Benefits office (contacts section)

Effect on other benefits or tax credits

There are some types of 'exempt work' you can do while getting Severe Disablement Allowance; ask Incapacity Benefits Branch or your local Jobs & Benefits/Social Security office for more details.

But if you're getting SDA and a wage, this could affect income-related benefits you may be receiving, like Income Support, Housing Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance.

Social Security/Jobs and Benefits office (contacts section)

What to do if your circumstances change

It's important that you contact the Incapacity Benefits Branch if your circumstances change. For example if:

you do any work, including voluntary work
you start training and get a training allowance
you enter or leave a hospital or care home
your partner or civil partner goes into hospital (if you get extra money for them)
you go abroad
you change your address

If you go abroad temporarily or permanently you may be entitled to some form of Severe Disablement Allowance overseas. For more information contact the Incapacity Benefits Branch.

Incapacity Benefits (contacts section)

How to appeal

If you diagree with a decision, you can appeal to independent tribunal. But if you have a query about your current payment, you can contact the Incapacity Benefits Branch.

Incapacity Benefits (contacts section)

What else you need to know

If you think you would have been entitled to Severe Disablement Allowance when it had been available before April 2001, you may now be eligible to claim Employment and Support Allowance.

For general advice you can contact Incapacity Benefits Branch or telephone the benefit enquiry line on