Disability Living Allowance for adults
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for people with disabilities who need help with mobility or care costs. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has replaced DLA for people between 16 and State Pension age.
Overview
If you’re already getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and are between 16 and State Pension age, you’ll continue to get DLA until the Department for Communities (DfC) writes to tell you when your DLA will end and invites you to apply for PIP.
You will only be eligible to make a fresh claim to DLA if you are under 16.
If you're over State Pension age
If you are already getting DLA and are over State Pension age with a lifetime award, your DLA will continue, if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. You will not be reassessed for Personal Independence Payment.
If you’re over State Pension age and haven’t received DLA or Personal Independence Payment in the last year, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance instead.
Disability Living Allowance rates
The rate you get is made up of two components (parts) - the ‘care component’ and the ‘mobility component’. To get DLA you must be eligible for at least one of the components.
How much you get depends on how your disability or health condition affects you.
Care
| Care part | Weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Lowest | £29.20 |
| Middle | £73.90 |
| Highest | £110.40 |
Mobility
| Mobility part | Weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Lower | £29.20 |
| Higher | £77.05 |
How you’re paid
Disability Living Allowance is usually paid every four weeks.
All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account, for example, your bank account.
Effect on other benefits and entitlements
If you receive DLA it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you're entitled to, such as:
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
DLA is normally ignored as income for working out these income-related benefits and credits.
DLA and your carer
If you have someone looking after you, they may be entitled to claim Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Credit.
SMS messages
When claiming DLA you may receive text messages (SMS) from the Department for Communities (DfC). They will always be clearly marked as DfC and will never ask you to give, or click a link to give, personal information or financial details by message or email.
If you’re concerned or unsure about any text messages (SMS) you receive from about DLA you should contact Disability and Carers Service directly. If you suspect you have received a fraudulent message as a scam, contact Disability and Carers Service immediately.
- More information is available at: scamwiseni
Change of circumstances
Changes to your circumstances can affect whether you should get DLA or the amount you get. It is important to contact the Disability and Carers Service.
Disability and Carers Service
Here are some examples of what you need to report:
- a change in your personal details such as name, address or doctor
- you go into a residential or care home
- you go into hospital
- the level of help you need or condition changes
- your condition worsens and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months
- you’re imprisoned or held in detention
- you’re immigration status has changed if you’re not a British or Irish Citizen
Going abroad to live or visit
You need to report if you go abroad for a temporary period or to live in another country. If your visit abroad is temporary, you may continue to get your benefit paid if:
- your absence from Northern Ireland does not last more than 13 weeks
- you are temporarily absent from Northern Ireland to receive medical treatment, payments can continue to be paid for 26 weeks
If you are going to live abroad permanently it may affect any DLA you get.
If you move to a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and already receive DLA, you may continue to get it under certain circumstances. You should check further information on the Payment of disability benefits in other European countries.
If you use sign language, you might be able to use the video relay service to contact the Disability and Carers Service using British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL). To access the service go to:
Appeal a decision
If you disagree with a decision, you must usually ask for ‘mandatory reconsideration’ before you appeal.