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Who can get Disability Living Allowance?

You may get Disability Living Allowance if:

You can get Disability Living Allowance whether or not you work.

It isn't usually affected by any savings or income you may have.

If you're aged 65 or over, you may be able to get Attendance Allowance.

• Disability Living Allowance - eligibility

• Attendance Allowance

Special rules - if you're terminally ill

If you have a progressive disease and are not expected to live for more than another six months there are special rules. The special rules are to help you get your benefit more quickly and easily.

Medical examinations

You won't usually need a medical examination when you claim Disability Living Allowance. But if you're asked to have one you can find out more from the links below.

• Disability Living Allowance - medical examination

• Disability Living Allowance medical examination - what it involves

• Disability Living Allowance medical examination - what happens next

Changes to Disability Living Allowance

From 2013 a new Personal Independence Payment will replace Disability Living Allowance for disabled people aged 16 to 64.

Use the following link to find out more about the new benefit, including what will happen if you're currently getting Disability Living Allowance.

• Personal Independence Payment

How much do you get?

Whether you can get Disability Living Allowance and the amount you get is based on your current needs and circumstances. If your needs or circumstances change, your benefit may increase, decrease or stop.

Disability Living Allowance has two parts called 'components':

Some people will be entitled to get just one component; others may get both.

The care component and mobility component are paid at different rates depending on how your disability affects you.

It’s important that you give the Disability and Carers Service (DCS) accurate information so that you get the right amount. If any of the information you have given changes, then you must tell the DCS. They will then check that you are still receiving the correct amount.

• Disability Benefits Helpline - for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance

How Disability Living Allowance is paid

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account. This is the safest, most convenient and efficient method of payment.

• How benefits and pensions are paid

Effect on other benefits and entitlements

If you start to get Disability Living Allowance it might increase the amount of other benefits you're entitled to, for example:

Disability Living Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out these income-related benefits and tax credits.

Rates and how to claim

Claim straight away - if you delay you may lose benefit.

You can claim online or get a claim pack by:

Find out more in 'Disability Living Allowance - rates and how to claim' below.

• Disability Living Allowance - rates and how to claim

Changes in your circumstances

Your entitlement to Disability Living Allowance and the amount you get is based on the information you told the Disability and Carers Service (DCS). If this information changes it is your responsibility to tell the DCS.

If you are not sure what changes you need to tell them about, please read 'Disability Living Allowance – your circumstances'.

• Disability Living Allowance - your circumstances

Information about Disability Benefits - British Sign Language Version

A set of films has been produced in British Sign Language (BSL) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The first four films give you basic information about different benefits. The final one explains how to make a claim if you are eligible.

• Video: benefits information if you are deaf or hard of hearing

More useful links

• Guide to financial support for disabled people (disabled people section)

• Information for carers (caring for someone section)

• Your home, adaptations and equipment (disabled people section)

• Community Care Grants

Useful contacts

• Money, tax and benefits contacts