Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is broken down into two components: care which has three tiers of payment and mobility which has two. You may be entitled to one or both of these benefits.To be entitled to DLA care component, your child must need more care and attention than their peers. This can be due to a physical or mental disability. Children under the age of 16 cannot claim independently but usually the parent or guardian acts as an appointee. Care needs include things such as help with going to the toilet, eating and getting dressed. Also things such as your child has no danger awareness when out or will hurt themselves if left unsupervised etc. Special rules apply if your child is terminally ill and you will receive the higher rate of allowance. If your child goes into hospital or residential care that is state funded then your benefit may be affected. You can claim before your child is three months old but payment will not be made before they are three months old unless you qualify for special rules.
The three levels of the care component are as follows
- Lower rate - your child needs help for only a significant part of the day
- Middle rate – your child needs frequent care through the day or night
- Higher rate – your child needs care through the day and night
Care Component Weekly Rates (Correct as of 27.6.06.)
- Highest rate £62.25
- Middle rate £41.65
- Lowest rate £16.50
The benefit is usually paid direct into your account.
Check the effect that receiving DLA may have on other benefits which may increase e.g. Child Tax Credit
To be entitled to DLA mobility component your child must be unable to walk, can only walk slowly or not far or is in a lot of pain when they do so. The mobility component can be claimed from the age of three if your child is unable or practically unable to walk; they have severe behavioural problems and are on the higher rate of the care component, they are 80% deaf and 100% blind.
The two levels of the mobility component are:
Lower rate – if your child needs help or supervision whilst out
Higher rate – if your child has severe mobility difficulties
Mobility Component Weekly Rates (Correct as of 27.6.06)
Higher rate £43.45
Lower rate £16.50
The benefit is usually paid direct into your account.
Check the effect that receiving DLA may have on other benefits which may increase e.g. Child Tax Credit
Special Rules
These apply to children who are not expected to live more than six months and are designed to make the benefits process move much more quickly.How do you apply for DLA?
Phone the Benefits Enquiry Line: 0800 8822000Complete leaflet DS704 obtainable from benefit offices and post offices
Go online at www.direct.gov.uk/disability