Many people have heard of Disability Living Allowance, often shortened to DLA, but are unsure whether it still exists, who can claim it or how it works. Understanding Disability Living Allowance is important because it provides financial support for people with disabilities and long term health conditions who need extra help with personal care or mobility.
This guide explains everything you need to know in plain English. Whether you are a parent looking after a disabled child, someone already receiving Disability Living Allowance or simply trying to understand how the benefit works today, this article provides accurate and easy to understand information based on current UK Government guidance.
Disability Living Allowance is a tax free benefit designed to help with the extra costs of living with a disability or long term health condition. For adults, Disability Living Allowance has largely been replaced by Personal Independence Payment. However, Disability Living Allowance is still available for most children under the age of 16 who have additional care or mobility needs and for some adults who continue to receive existing awards.
The amount paid depends on the level of care and mobility support needed rather than income or employment status.
Disability Living Allowance helps people who need extra support because of a disability or medical condition. It is intended to contribute towards the additional costs that disabled people and their families often face.
Unlike many other benefits, Disability Living Allowance is not based on household income, savings or National Insurance contributions.
Instead, it looks at how a person’s disability affects their daily life and ability to move around.
The benefit consists of two parts.
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Care Component | Helps with personal care needs such as washing, dressing, eating or supervision |
| Mobility Component | Helps people who have difficulty walking or getting around |
A claimant may receive one component or both depending on their circumstances.
Today, Disability Living Allowance is mainly available to children under 16 years of age who have significantly greater care or mobility needs than other children of the same age.
Adults aged 16 or over who have never claimed Disability Living Allowance usually need to apply for Personal Independence Payment instead.
Some adults still receive Disability Living Allowance if they have not yet moved to Personal Independence Payment or fall into a protected category.
You may qualify if:
Eligibility depends on the level of support needed rather than the medical diagnosis itself.
Decision makers consider how a disability affects daily living rather than simply looking at the name of the condition.
Conditions that may qualify include:
Having one of these conditions does not automatically guarantee an award.
Instead, the assessment considers:
No.
One of the biggest advantages of Disability Living Allowance is that it is not means tested.
This means:
Someone earning a full time salary may still qualify if the disability rules are met.
No.
There is no savings limit.
Whether you have:
your savings alone will not stop you receiving Disability Living Allowance.
This makes it different from many other benefits such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
The amount depends on which components are awarded and the level of support required.
There are separate rates for:
Rates are reviewed each financial year by the UK Government.
| Component | Payment Level |
| Care | Lowest, Middle or Highest Rate |
| Mobility | Lower or Higher Rate |
If both components are awarded, they are paid together.
Payments are usually made every four weeks directly into a bank account.
No.
Recipients decide how best to use the benefit.
Common uses include:
There is no requirement to provide receipts showing how the money has been spent.
Applications for children are made by completing the Disability Living Allowance for Children claim form.
The application asks detailed questions about:
Supporting evidence can improve an application.
Useful evidence includes:
Applications can take several weeks to process depending on complexity.
Preparing documents before completing the form can make the application easier.
Useful documents include:
Keeping copies of everything submitted is recommended.
Decision makers consider:
Not every claimant needs a face to face assessment.
Many children’s claims are decided using written evidence.
Many applications are delayed or refused because important information is missing.
Common mistakes include:
Many parents naturally minimise the level of support they provide because it has become routine.
Describe everything that happens on both good and bad days.
Medical evidence often strengthens an application.
Provide clear examples showing exactly what help is needed.
Supervision can be just as important as physical care.
Respond promptly if further information is requested.
A nine year old child with autism requires constant supervision outside because of poor danger awareness.
Outcome:
The child may qualify for both care and mobility components depending on the overall assessment.
A twelve year old with severe epilepsy requires overnight supervision and assistance several times each week.
Outcome:
The child could qualify for a higher level care award.
A young child with significant mobility problems requires specialist equipment and cannot walk long distances.
Outcome:
The mobility component may be awarded alongside care support.
Yes.
Receiving Disability Living Allowance can sometimes increase entitlement to other benefits.
Examples include:
| Benefit | Possible Impact |
| Universal Credit | Additional disability elements may apply |
| Carer’s Allowance | A carer may become eligible if qualifying conditions are met |
| Housing Benefit | Extra support may be available |
| Council Tax Reduction | Higher entitlement may apply |
| Motability Scheme | Higher mobility awards may provide access |
| Blue Badge Scheme | Eligibility may become easier depending on circumstances |
Yes.
You should report changes such as:
Reporting changes promptly helps prevent overpayments.
This article has been prepared using current UK Government guidance relating to Disability Living Allowance.
Benefit rules, payment rates and eligibility criteria can change.
Before making financial decisions or submitting a claim, always check the latest information published by the Department for Work and Pensions and the official GOV.UK website.
It is a tax free benefit that helps with the extra costs of disability.
In most cases no. Adults usually claim Personal Independence Payment instead.
No. Disability Living Allowance is tax free.
No. Income and savings do not normally affect entitlement.
Yes. Employment does not automatically prevent someone receiving the benefit.
Payments are normally made every four weeks.
No. Awards depend on care and mobility needs rather than diagnosis alone.
In some circumstances payments may begin from the date a valid claim is made, subject to the rules in place at the time of the claim.
Yes. Disability Living Allowance can often be received alongside other qualifying benefits.
Most young people receiving Disability Living Allowance will usually be invited to claim Personal Independence Payment instead.
Yes. If the eligibility criteria are not met or there is insufficient evidence, the claim may be refused. Decisions can be challenged through mandatory reconsideration and appeal where appropriate.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also wish to explore:
Useful official sources include:
Always use official Government guidance to confirm current eligibility rules and payment rates before making an application.
Disability Living Allowance remains an important source of financial support for disabled children and for some adults who continue to receive existing awards. Although most new adult claims are now made through Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance continues to play a significant role in helping families meet the additional costs associated with disability.
The benefit is designed to recognise the practical impact that a disability or long term health condition has on everyday life rather than focusing solely on a medical diagnosis. Because it is not means tested, many people who are eligible do not realise they could qualify regardless of their income or savings.
If you believe you or your child may qualify, take time to gather detailed evidence, complete the application carefully and describe the help that is genuinely needed on a day to day basis. Providing clear and accurate information can make a significant difference to the outcome of a claim.
Benefits Advice UK provides free information to help people better understand the UK benefits system. Always check the latest Government guidance before making financial decisions.
Information on this site is based on official UK guidance.
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