Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance
There are two non-means tested benefits which are payable to a person to help with the extra costs of disability. These are Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance.
A person who is getting DLA or Attendance Allowance may also be able to claim benefits for not being able to work because he or she is sick, or also income-related benefits (income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit).
Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance may still be payable if a person is employed. In addition they are not counted as income for the purposes of calculating any income-related benefits.
More information can be found on Citizens Advice's Adviceguide website, or by visiting your local Carers' Centre or Citizens Advice Bureau.
Disability Living Allowance
DLA can be paid to anyone with a disability whose care or mobility needs began before the age of 65 who claims before this age, providing they:
- are not permanently in hospital or living in accommodation provided by or funded by a local authority
- have lived in the UK for six out of the last 12 months, actually live in the UK when claiming and normally lives in the UK
- have care and mobility needs
There are three rates for personal care; lower, middle and higher and two rates to assist with your mobility; lower and higher.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance can be paid to a person with a disability who:
- is aged 65 or over and is not permanently in hospital or living in accommodation provided by or funded by a local authority
- has lived in the UK for six out of the last 12 months, actually lives in the UK when claiming and normally lives in the UK
- has care needs
There are two rates; the lower rate for those needing help during the day; and the higher rate for those needing help during the day and night.
To check if your care needs meet entitlement conditions for DLA or Attendance Allowance, either check with your local Carers' Centre or local Citizens Advice Bureau.
For more information related to Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, including making an online claim, visit the DirectGov site.
Scotland
For Scotland-specific information on benefits for the sick and disabled, see the CAB Adviceguide
