Welfare Rights factsheet Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

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1 Welfare Rights factsheet Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for people under 65 who require assistance with their personal care or supervision, or their mobility. What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)? Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit paid weekly by the Disability Benefits Centre to people who need help looking after themselves need someone with them or have difficulties with mobility You must claim before your 65th birthday. DLA can be paid as well as other benefits and it does not matter if you have savings or other income. In fact, receiving DLA may increase your entitlement to other benefits such as Income Support and Pension Credit. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children can be claimed for children under 16 who require assistance with their mobility or personal care. DLA is divided into two parts the care component has three rates -lower, middle and higher the mobility component has two rates - lower and higher You can be paid different rates of both components.

2 What is personal care? You can claim the care component if you find it difficult to look after yourself on a daily basis, or struggle to complete tasks such as those listed below: you have difficulty with washing/bathing, dressing/undressing, eating, using the toilet, using stairs, getting in/out of bed, taking or using medicationd due to sight or hearing difficulties you require help to go out, communicate with people, deal with mail, pay your bills, read newspapers or socialise you are over 16 and have difficulty preparing a cooked main meal, for example, you cannot chop and peel vegetables or use hot pans/cooker you have to undergo renal dialysis on a regular basis and need help with this What is supervision? You can also claim the care component if you need someone with you: to avoid the risk of accidents or to alert you to danger because you are unsteady or you have panic attacks, fits, dizzy spells, or seizures to encourage or prompt you to look after yourself as you may have spells of confusion or depression and find motivation difficult However, this list does not cover everything and if you need help with other things you may be entitled to claim. What if I have problems getting around? You can claim the mobility component for difficulties you have

3 getting around outdoors. The mobility component can be claimed between the ages of three and 65. You should claim if: you can only walk very slowly or have to take frequent stops you find walking difficult or painful on a flat road you get breathless or tired after walking a short distance, less than 50 yards you need someone with you to prevent you getting lost or confused you cannot walk at all you are blind and considered profoundly deaf the effects of walking could lead to a serious deterioration in your health you receive higher rate care component and have severe learning difficulties or severe behavioural problems What if I have a terminal illness? Claims for people who are terminally ill should be decided urgently. These claims have "Special Rules". The same claim pack is used but you also have to provide a statement from your doctor, called a DS1500 report, confirming that you have a terminal illness. Benefit should be paid straight away at the higher rate care component. The mobility component may also be paid if you can show you have problems getting around - if this is the case you should also complete the mobility part of the claim pack. How do I claim? Claim forms are available from your local Disability Benefits Centre, or your local social work office. If you feel you are entitled to both components it is important that you claim them both on the same form. The form is quite lengthy but the questions are straightforward. If you wish someone to help you with the form make an appointment at your local social work office. It would be helpful if you could

4 complete as much of the form as possible, particularly your personal details, before your appointment. Who makes the decision? The Disability Benefits Centre in Glasgow will initially make the decision on your claim. It is important that you give as much information as possible about how much help you need. What if I am unsatisfied with the decision? If you are refused benefit or think it should have been paid at a higher rate you can write asking for a revision within one month from the date on the decision. If you are still unsatisfied once the revision has taken place you can ask, again in writing and within one month of the revision, to have your case heard by an appeal tribunal. Your local social work office can help you to ask for revisions or appeals. The Decision-Maker may wish to ask for further medical information by sending a short report to your GP, or they may send a doctor out to discuss your medical conditions. What if my circumstances change? If you feel that your health has deteriorated, or you have another condition which means you need more help, you can ask for your benefit to be revised. When you ask for a revision the Decision-Maker can look at your whole claim again. You should always seek advice from your local social work office before requesting a revision. If you would like advice on how to claim DLA make an appointment with your local social work office. You can help us by completing your personal details and as much of the form as you can before this appointment. If you have already claimed benefit and would

5 like to ask for a revision or appeal contact your local social work office and a member of staff there will advise you.