Mobility Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• You must claim before you reach age 65, unless you are switching from the Invalid Vehicle Service.
• Paid if you need help looking after yourself.
• Paid if you are aged three or over and have severe difficulty walking, or aged five or over and need help getting around.
• Paid at different rates depending on how your disability affects you.

Have you needed help for three months because of a severe physical or mental illness or disability, and are you likely to need it for at least another six months?

If yes, claim DLA.

The actual benefits are not shown here as individual circumstances change and any award will be based on an individual assessment. You may not get DLA if you are in hospital or a care home.

Weekly amounts:

These figures are set and paid to help you get around and can attract either the higher or lower rate depending on your level of need. To find out more about the current rates payable, visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.

Claim straight away. If you delay you may lose benefit.

Contact your social security office for a claim form. Find your local office in the phone book under Benefits Agency, Jobcentre Plus or social security.

It is important that we can be sure of your identity when you make a claim. We may need to ask you about your background and look at any official documents you have to support the information you give.

You can download a Disability Living Allowance claim form using the benefits agency website.

If your local council social services department arranges your care, it may affect DLA that is paid because you need someone to look after you.

This part of your DLA will usually stop after four weeks if:

• You go into a home run by your local council and receive help with funding
• The social services department helps with the cost of an independent home.

If the social services department did not arrange your care in an independent home, your DLA will usually continue, even if you get income support.

If your social services department stops helping with the cost of an independent home, tell the office that dealt with your benefit, as you will usually be able to start getting benefit again.

Going to live in a home will not normally affect DLA paid for helping you get around, but it may be affected if the NHS arranges the care.

To get more information or leaflets, get in touch with your social security office.

A confidential telephone service is available for people with disabilities, their representatives and their carers. Ring the Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) on: 0800 882200. People with speech or hearing problems using a textphone can dial: 0800 243355.

Visit the Department of Work and Pension website www.dwp.gov.uk

Further information and support is available from your Scheme Manager.

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