You can claim disability living allowance (DLA) if you are under 65 and need help with personal care, getting around, or both because of an illness or disability. The amount you will get depends on how much help you need.

• Who can claim?
  
• How can I claim
  
• How much money will I get?
  
• How long will I get disability living allowance?
  
• How is it paid?
  
• What if my application is turned down?
  

Who can claim?

You can claim disability living allowance (DLA) if:

• you are under 65,
• you have care needs or mobility needs,
• you are not in hospital.

What are care needs?

You will have 'care needs' if:

• you need help washing, dressing or going to the toilet,
• you need supervision to allow you to live alone,
• you need help preparing and cooking meals,
• you are terminally ill.

Get advice if you aren't sure whether your 'care needs' are serious enough to allow you to claim disability living allowance (DLA).

What are mobility needs?

You may have 'mobility needs' if:

• you need help to walk outdoors,
• you have difficulty walking (for example, you need to use a wheelchair or you are unable to walk very far),
• you had both legs amputated,
• you were born without legs or feet,
• you are blind or deaf,
• you have severe learning difficulties.

Get advice if you aren't sure whether your 'mobility needs' are serious enough to allow you to claim disability living allowance (DLA).

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How can I claim

You can claim disability living allowance by:

• telephoning the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 220674 and asking for an application form,
• contacting your local Social Security Office or Jobs and Benefits Office to get an application form.

When applying you will need:

• your national insurance number,
• to get your doctor to complete part of your application form.

You may have to have a medical examination before you get your disability living allowance.

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How much money will I get?

The amount of money you get depends on your personal circumstances. You can get disability living allowance for your 'care needs' and your 'mobility needs'.

Money for your care needs

There are three levels of disability living allowance if you have 'care needs':

• lower rate - £16.05 per week if you need help cooking your meals,
• middle rate - £40.55 per week if you need help during the day or night,
• higher rate - £60.60 per week if you need help during the day and night, or you are terminally ill.

Money for you mobility needs

There are two levels of disability living allowance if you have 'mobility needs':

• lower rate - £15.55 per week if you can't walk outdoors without help,
• higher rate - £41.05 per week to everyone else.

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How long will I get disability living allowance?

Disability living allowance (DLA) is not paid for the first three months you have care or mobility needs. However, you will get DLA for as long as you have care or mobility needs. Your DLA will usually stop if you spend more than four weeks in hospital.

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How is it paid?

Disability living allowance is paid to your bank account every week or every month as part of the 'direct payment' system.

What is direct payment?

Benefits are paid as direct payments. Instead of order books and Giros, the Social Security Agency pays your benefits into your:

• bank account,
• building society account,
• Post Office card account.

Contact your local Social Security Office or Jobs and Benefits Office if you don't have a suitable bank account.

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What if my application is turned down?

Get advice immediately if you are not happy with any decision made on your application and want to ask for a review. It can be difficult to get decisions changed, but an adviser could help you increase your chances of getting disability living allowance.

If you want the Social Security Agency to review the decision you must:

• apply in writing,
• apply within 28 days of the date the decision was given,
• explain clearly the reasons why you think the decision was unfair.

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