Getting Money for People with Disabilities: A Guide to Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- What is Disability Living Allowance?
- Who Can Get DLA?
- DLA for Children
- Special Rules for Scotland
- DLA for Adults
- How Much DLA Can You Get?
- How to Apply for DLA
- How Long Can You Get DLA?
Living with a disability can be tough. It can mean needing help every day or facing extra costs. Luckily, there's a way to get financial help in the UK called Disability Living Allowance (DLA). In this article, we'll talk about what DLA is, who can get it, how to apply, and how much money you can receive.
What is Disability Living Allowance?
DLA is money given every month to help people with disabilities. It's tax-free, and how much you get depends on how much help you need because of your disability. The main idea is to help cover the extra costs of living with a disability, like paying for care or getting around.
Who Can Get DLA?
To see if you or someone you know can get DLA, here are some things to think about:
| Care and Mobility Needs: | DLA is for people who need more help because of their disability or have trouble moving around. The amount you get depends on how much help you need. |
| Age: | You can get DLA if you're at least 16 years old, and there's no maximum age, so anyone can apply. |
| Where You Live: | You need to live in Great Britain, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Ireland, or the UK. But if you're in the armed forces, there are some exceptions. |
| Where You Lived Before: | If you're older than three years, you should have lived in Great Britain for at least six of the last twelve months to be eligible. |
DLA for Children
If you're a parent with a disabled child, DLA can really help. To get DLA for your child, they must be:
- Younger than 16 years old.
- Need more help or have trouble moving compared to a non-disabled child their age.
- Meet all the requirements.
The amount of DLA for children varies based on how much help they need, and it can be between £26.90 to £172.50 per week.
Special Rules for Scotland
In Scotland, disabled children can get something called Child Disability Payment instead of DLA. If your child got DLA before and moves to Scotland, you have to apply for Child Disability Payment. If your child moves from Scotland to England or the UK, tell Social Security Scotland and apply for Children's DLA.
DLA for Adults
Adults with long-term illnesses or disabilities that affect their daily life may be eligible for Adult Disability Payment. Here's what to know:
If You're Under 16 Years Old:
- In England or Wales, you can get DLA.
- In Scotland, you can get Child Disability Payment.
If You're Over 16 Years Old:
- In England or Wales and you're under 66, you can apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
- In Scotland, you can get Adult Disability Payment if you haven't reached State Pension age.
- If you're older than State Pension age and don't get DLA, you might be able to get Attendance Allowance.
How Much DLA Can You Get?
DLA payments have two parts: one for care and one for mobility. Here's how much you can get every week:
Care Part:
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Most | £101.75 |
| Lowest | £26.90 |
| Middle | £68.10 |
Mobility Part:
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Lower | £26.90 |
| Higher | £71 |
How to Apply for DLA
You can apply for DLA in two ways:
Applying Offline:
- Go to your local Social Security office in person or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to apply over the phone. It's a good idea to make an appointment first to avoid waiting a long time.
Applying Online:
- Start by printing and going over the Adult Disability Checklist to gather all the needed info.
- Complete the disability benefits application.
- Fill out the Medical Release Form if needed.
Applying online means you can start your claim right away without needing to go to an office.
How Long Can You Get DLA?
If you were born after April 8, 1948, your DLA will stop at some point. You'll get a letter telling you to apply for something called Personal Independence Payment (PIP). You have 28 days to apply for PIP. After at least 28 days from when they decide about PIP, your DLA payments will stop. If you qualify for PIP, you'll start getting PIP payments.
In conclusion, Disability Living Allowance is an important way to help people with disabilities and their families in the UK. Knowing if you can get it, how to apply, and how much you can get will make it easier to get the financial help you need when living with a disability. Whether you're a parent taking care of a disabled child or an adult dealing with a long-term illness, DLA is there to support you.
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