Disability Living Allowance

Care

To get help with your personal care you must be 'so severely disabled physically or mentally that you require' the following from another person:

• frequent, prolonged or repeated attention in connection with your bodily functions during the day or through the night
• supervision through the day or through the night (this could be continuous) in order to avoid substantial danger to yourself or to others
• help to prepare a cooked main meal for yourself if you have the ingredients.

The care component is paid at three different levels. In the event that you qualify for this, the rate you get depends on the severity of your care needs and the help you need.

Mobility

You might be able to get help with your mobility if that's difficult for you.

There are two levels of help you can get. To receive the higher rate you must be one of the following:

• unable to walk
• virtually unable to walk

You get the lower rate if you're so disabled physically or mentally that you can't safely go outdoors without guidance or supervision. For example if you find it difficult to travel to unfamiliar places due to anxiety or you experience panic attacks.

You might be able to get help with your mobility if that's difficult for you.

There are two levels of help you can get. To receive the higher rate you must be one of the following: 

• unable to walk 
• virtually unable to walk

You get the lower rate if you're so disabled physically or mentally that you can't safely go outdoors without guidance or supervision. For example if you find it difficult to travel to unfamiliar places due to anxiety or you experience panic attacks.

More information on the Disability Living Allowance is available if you want it.

Find out more about how to apply for DLA or call the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00.

Reviews and appeals

If you've applied for DLA and aren't happy with your assessment, then you have the right to have a review, or to make an appeal if you disagree with the decision. You'll need to do this within four weeks of the date on the decision letter.

You might have heard that there's going to be a review of the DLA awards under special rules - find out more about the DLA review.