South Lanarkshire Council

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for people under 65 who become ill or disabled:

• if you need help with personal care - you might qualify for the personal care part of DLA
• if you need help with mobility, you might qualify for the mobility element  
• if you need personal care and help with mobility - you might qualify for both

To qualify for DLA for personal care, you must have been disabled for at least three months and continue to require help for a further six months.

Personal care means you need help with washing (getting in or out of the shower/bath), dressing, eating, getting to and using the toilet. You may also need looked after to keep yourself and others safe.

There are three rates for the care component of DLA:

• low rate - if you need help with personal care for some of the day or can't prepare a cooked meal (£21.00)
• middle rate - if you need help with personal care part of the day or only at night (£53.00)
• high rate care - if you need help during the day and night (£79.15)

To receive the mobility component of the DLA you must:

• be unable, or virtually unable, to walk but need guidance or supervision from another person when you are in an unfamiliar place
• need guidance or supervision from another person when walking outdoors

The mobility component includes two rates:

• low rate mobility (£21.00) - if you can walk but need guidance or supervision from another person when you are in an unfamiliar places
• high rate mobility (£55.25) - if you can't walk at all, or only walk a short distance without severe discomfort

Disability Living Allowance can be paid in addition to almost any other benefit such as state pension and income support.

If you have a terminal illness you can claim straight away.

For more information contact your local Money Matters office or call the Benefits enquiry line.