Disability Living Allowance

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If you have a lot of personal care needs because you are sick or disabled then you can claim Disability Living Allowance. There is also help if you have a problem with walking or getting around see Mobility Component below.

DLA is paid at different rates depending on your needs.

a) Care Component

The High Rate:

if you need help both day and night with bodily functions such as washing and dressing or you need someone with you to make sure you don't hurt yourself or others.

The Middle Rate:

if you need the kind of help described above either day or night.

The Low Rate:

if you need help with your bodily functions part of the day or you could not prepare or cook a main meal for yourself without help, due to your disability.

b) Mobility Component:

if you have a lot of problems walking or you need someone with you when you walk outside you may be able to get DLA mobility. There are two rates depending on how difficult it is for you to walk or get about outdoors:

High Rate

you may be able to get this if either you cannot walk at all, or because of severe discomfort pain of breathlessness for example you are virtually unable to walk, or if you have some other severe difficulties.

The Low Rate

you may be able to get this if you can walk but need someone with you on unfamiliar routes most of the time.

Higher rate can be claimed from 3 years old and the lower rate from 5 years old. You must claim DLA mobility before reaching 65.

If you are awarded the high rate of mobility for three years or longer, you can use your allowance to hire or purchase a car through a scheme called motability.

Leaflets and application forms are available from:

Motability, Goodman House, Station Approach, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2ET
Motability Helpline
 01279 635 666

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