Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults: A complete guide

Introduction to DLA for adults

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) provides tax-free financial support for disabled adults. The amount you receive depends on how much support you need.

You won’t be able to make a new claim for DLA for adults as it’s being phased out. Instead, depending on your age, you can apply for other disability benefits. These are Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance.

• If you’re over the age of 16 but under State Pension age, you’ll need to claim PIP
• If you’re over the State Pension age, you’ll need to claim Attendance Allowance
• In Scotland you can apply for Adult Disability Payment
  

Who is eligible for DLA?

DLA eligibility will depend on when you were born or who you are claiming for.

Eligibility criteria

You can only claim DLA if you:

• Were born before 8 April 1948, are already claiming DLA, and you’re still eligible
• Are claiming for someone under 16 – in this case, you’ll fill in a DLA claim form for children

If you were born after 8 April 1948 and currently get DLA for adults, your DLA will end. You’ll get a letter telling you when this will happen. You can continue to get DLA until then.

Understanding the care and mobility components

DLA is made up of two components. When claiming DLA, applicants must meet the criteria for at least one of the components. These are:

1. The care component: You might be eligible for this component if you need help with everyday tasks. These include washing, dressing and cooking. If you need help communicating or using medical equipment such as dialysis machines, you will also qualify.
2. The mobility component: You might get the mobility component if, when using your normal walking aid, you struggle to walk or become ill. More serious conditions, such as being blind or deaf, having no legs or feet or being mentally impaired and needing support, also qualify.

What benefits can you expect?

Your DLA rates will depend on certain factors. These are outlined below.

Care component benefits

If you’re eligible for the care component, your weekly rate will be one of the following:

Source: Gov.uk

Mobility component benefits

If you’re eligible for the mobility component, your weekly rate will be one of the following:

Source: Gov.uk

How DLA payments work

Your DLA payment will go directly into your bank or building society account. If you don’t have a bank account, it will go through the Payment Exception Service, so you can collect the money at a Post Office or PayPoint outlet.

DLA will usually be paid every four weeks on a Wednesday. The payment is tax-free.

DLA assessment process

If you’re already claiming DLA, you might receive a letter asking you to attend a disability assessment to check how much help you need. Your letter will tell you why you need to attend and where your assessment will be held. If you don’t attend, your benefit might stop.

What to expect during the assessment A healthcare professional usually carries out the DLA assessment. It will most likely be face-to-face. The healthcare professional will assess how your condition affects your life and may need to carry out a physical examination.

They will also talk to you about your medical history and any medication you take. The healthcare professional will then review the assessment and write a report to send to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

How to prepare

Before you attend your assessment, bring some identification with you. This can be a passport or any three of the following:

• Birth certificate
• A full driving licence
• Life assurance policy
• Bank statements

You could also bring extra information or medical evidence with you to help with the assessment.

Transitioning from DLA to PIP

If you were born after 8 April 1948, you’ll get a letter telling you when your DLA will end. You’ll then be assessed for PIP.

Understanding the transition There is no automatic transfer from DLA to PIP. You will need to apply for PIP instead of DLA when:

• You turn 16 years old (or 18 in Scotland)
• You tell the Department for Work and Pensions about a change in your care or mobility needs
• The DWP contacts you and asks you to claim PIP
• Your DLA ends because it was awarded for a fixed time

Key considerations and steps for transitioning

1. When you’re contacted by the DWP, you’ll have four weeks to start your claim for PIP. Provided you do this in time, you’ll still receive DLA until your PIP claim has been decided.
2. If you don’t claim within the four-week deadline, your DLA payments will stop. You’ll be contacted again by the DWP and given another four weeks to claim for PIP.
3. If you claim before the final deadline, you’ll receive DLA again until your PIP claim is processed.
4. If you don’t meet the final deadline, your DLA claim will be closed.

You can claim for PIP by calling the claims phone line on 0800 917 2222. Although many people who receive DLA will qualify for PIP, this isn’t guaranteed. You might get a smaller payment or you might not be eligible.

If you don’t get PIP, you can challenge the decision. But it’s worth seeking free advice through a charity such as Citizens Advice first. You can also look for guidance on the Disability Rights UK website.

Common questions about DLA for adults

How do I apply for DLA for adults?

You can’t make a new Disability Living Allowance application for adults. You can only fill in a new DLA claim form for someone under the age of 16.

Can you work while receiving DLA?

You can have a job while receiving DLA and there’s no limit to the number of hours you can work. But if your job involves activities that mean you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for DLA (such as lots of walking), the DWP might decide to reassess you. Your DLA payments could then stop.

How does DLA affect other benefits?

There’s no benefit cap to worry about with DLA. In fact, receiving DLA might increase the amount of other benefits you’re entitled to. These include:

• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit

DLA doesn’t count as income for these benefits.

Summary and conclusion

If you already get Disability Living Allowance for adults, you should receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions before 2025 to invite you to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. It’s important to make your PIP application within the four-week deadline you’re given.

You’ll continue to receive DLA until that date. The exception is if you were born before 8 April 1948. In this case, you can continue to claim DLA if you’re still eligible.