In this guide
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) has risen this year, but is being replaced by other benefits. Here we explain who can still claim it and how much they’ll receive.
If you or a family member has a disability, chances are you’ve thought about claiming DLA.
The benefit is gradually being replaced, and at the moment it can only be claimed by children under 16 who are living in England and Wales.
People who don’t fit into that category and want to claim benefits for their disability should now claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. You can read more about PIP in our articles about PIP allowance and a scenario involving claiming PIP.
However, if you’re already receiving DLA, you’ll be happy to know that it has increased this April, rising by 6.7%, which puts it in line with inflation.
In this article, we cover:
- DLA rates for 2024
- Am I eligible for DLA payments?
- How to apply for DLA
- When does DLA turn to PIP?
- Does the benefit cap affect DLA?
- Could I also be eligible for other benefits?
- Claiming DLA in a care home
- Can you claim DLA if you have savings?
Read more: How much is PIP allowance in 2024?
What is Disability Living Allowance?
DLA is a monthly, tax-free benefit for disabled people. It’s paid at different rates depending on the level of support required.
It’s gradually being replaced by PIP.
What are the DLA rates for 2024?
In April 2024, all of the DLA rates rose by 6.7%, in line with inflation. If you already have DLA or are applying for a child under 16, you can now receive between £28.70 and £184.30 a week in DLA.
It can be spent on anything, and the amount you get is not related to how much you earn.
The amount you can receive is made up of two parts called components: the care component and the mobility component. Each of these is paid at different rates, which are dependent on the level of care required. Both components might also be needed.
| Care component | Care needs | How much (weekly) |
| Higher rate | Requires supervision or care throughout the day and night, or has been diagnosed as terminally ill, and is not expected to live more than 12 months | £108.55 |
| Middle rate | Requires supervision or care throughout the night or day, or gets renal dialysis twice or more a week | £72.65 |
| Lower rate | Requires care for at least an hour throughout the day, but not at night | £28.70 |
| Mobility component | Mobility needs | How much (weekly) |
| Higher rate | Over three years old, and at least one of the following describes them: they can’t walk, they have severe discomfort when walking outside, walking puts them in danger, they have no legs or feet, they’re blind or severely sight-impaired or they’re deaf and blind Or, they’re over three years old and have a severe learning disability or other mental impairment that affects intelligence and how they interact with people and results in disruptive and dangerous behaviour | £75.75 |
| Lower rate | They’re at least five years old, and both of the following apply: they need someone with them to guide or supervise them on unfamiliar routes and need more help getting around than a child of the same age who isn’t disabled or doesn’t have a health condition | £28.70 |
Am I eligible for DLA payments?
You are now only eligible to claim DLA if you are under 16 and live in England or Wales.
If you already receive DLA and were born on or before 8 April 1948, you’ll continue to get DLA as long as you’re eligible for it.
If you receive DLA, but were born after 8 April 1948, your DLA will end. You’ll continue receiving DLA until you get a letter telling you that it’s ending.
How to apply for DLA
If you’re under 16: you can only apply for DLA if you live in England or Wales. You’ll need to fill out an online claim form.
If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Child Disability Payment, instead of DLA.
If you’re over 16: you now cannot apply for DLA. Instead, you can apply for:
- PIP if you live in England or Wales and have not reached State Pension age.
- Adult Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and have not reached State Pension age.
- Attendance Allowance if you’re of State Pension age or older and you receive DLA.
At what age does DLA turn to PIP?
If you were born before 9 April 1948, your DLA will continue to be renewed and won’t turn into PIP.
However, for everyone else who is aged 16 and over, at some point your DLA will turn into PIP. This is expected to happen within the next few years.
Does the benefit cap affect DLA?
The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not yet reached state pension age.
You won’t be affected by the benefit cap if you, your partner, or any children under 18 who are living with you receive DLA.
Could I also be eligible for other benefits?
Yes, you could also be eligible for other benefits. The following benefits are available if you receive DLA:
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
You could also receive travel-related benefits, like parking discounts through the Blue Badge scheme and public transport concessions. If you need to drive, you could also get help through the Motability scheme.
Read more: Child benefit threshold changes in 2024
Can I claim DLA while living in a care home?
As DLA is being replaced by PIP, you can now only claim it if you’re under 16. This means that you won’t be claiming if you’re living in a care home for the elderly.
If a child under 16 has gone into a care home, this makes receiving DLA complicated, and you might want to contact the Disability Living Allowance helpline. It might mean that the payment you receive varies depending on when the child stays with you.
Can a person applying for DLA have savings?
As DLA isn’t means-tested, it doesn’t matter how much you earn or if the child claiming has a savings account. It could even mean that they’ll receive other benefits or get a higher rate for other benefits.
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