The Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for people who have certain disabilities that limit their mobility or necessitate special care. Although DLA is being phased out for adults and replaced with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other benefits, it is still available for children under the age of 16 in the UK, and approximately one million people currently receive it.
DLA rates have risen by 6.7% to reflect the rising cost of living, ensuring that the assistance offered reflects the present economic situation. This modification ensures that families may continue to provide the attention and support their children require without incurring undue financial pressure. Additionally, the DWP has released a detailed list of 57 medical problems that potentially qualify a child for DLA, with the goal of clarifying eligibility requirements and streamlining the application process for families.
Introduction to DWP Disability Living Allowance
DLA is available to children under 16 who require more supervision or care than other children their age owing to a disability or mobility issues. The DWP has listed 57 medical problems, including arthritis, epilepsy, visual and hearing difficulties, and severe mental impairments, that potentially qualify an individual for DLA.
Components and Rates
DLA is made up of two components, each designed to fulfill a particular need:
This component is designed for people who require support with personal care. The rates for 2024, representing a 6.7% rise to keep up with the cost of living, are as follows:
- The lowest rate: £28.70 a week for persons who require part-time assistance.
- Middle Rate: £72.66 per week for people who need regular assistance or constant supervision during the day or night.
- The highest rate: £108.57 a week for persons who require care throughout the day and night.
This component assists those with walking difficulties or who require guidance when moving around. The rates for 2024 are:
- Lower Rate: £28.70 per week for those who can walk but need guidance or supervision outdoors.
- Higher Rate: £72.66 per week for those who are unable or nearly unable to walk or who need significant assistance outdoors due to severe sensory impairments.
DWP DLA Application Process
To apply for DLA for a kid, the applicant must be the child’s parent or someone with parental responsibilities. The application can be launched in two ways:
- Online: The DLA claim form is available on the UK government’s website. It is critical to provide precise information regarding the child’s health and its implications for their everyday life.
- By Phone: If you prefer a paper form or require assistance, the DLA helpline is available. This service provides assistance by regular telephone, textphone for individuals with hearing impairments, and a British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service for BSL users during business hours.
Contact Details for Assistance
If you need assistance during the application process or have questions, the DLA helpline is available:
- Telephone: 0800 121 4600
- Textphone: 0800 121 4523 (for those with hearing impairments)
- Relay UK: Dial 18001 followed by 0800 121 4600 for those who cannot hear or speak on the phone using a standard telephone.
- British Sign Language (BSL) Video Relay Service: This service is available for BSL users during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm) to facilitate communication.
Medical Conditions Qualifying for DLA
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has identified 57 medical disorders that may qualify a child for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Eligibility is determined by how the disease impacts the child’s everyday life, namely their mobility and care requirements. Here’s the full list of conditions:
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back pain – other/precise diagnosis not specified
- Disease of the muscles, bones, or joints
- Trauma to limbs
- Visual disorders and diseases
- Hearing disorders
- Heart disease
- Respiratory disorders and diseases (e.g., asthma, cystic fibrosis)
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Epilepsy
- Neurological diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease)
- Motor neurone disease
- Chronic pain syndromes
- Diabetes mellitus
- Metabolic disease
- Traumatic paraplegia/tetraplegia
- Major trauma other than traumatic paraplegia/tetraplegia
- Learning difficulties
- Psychosis
- Psychoneurosis
- Personality Disorder
- Dementia
- Behavioural disorder
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Hyperkinetic syndrome
- Renal disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Bowel and stomach disease
- Blood disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
- Multi-system disorders
- Multiple allergy syndrome
- Skin disease
- Malignant disease
- Severely mentally impaired
- Double amputee
- Deaf/blind
- Haemodialysis
- Frailty
- Total parenteral nutrition
- AIDS
- Infectious diseases: viral disease – COVID-19
- Infectious diseases: viral disease – other/precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases: bacterial disease – tuberculosis
- Infectious diseases: bacterial disease – other/precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases: protozoal disease – malaria
- Infectious diseases: protozoal disease – other/precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases – other/precise diagnosis not specified
- Cognitive disorder – other/precise diagnosis not specified
- Terminally Ill
- Unknown
- Amputation
- Autoimmune disorders
- Severe intellectual disabilities
- Chronic respiratory disorders
- Severe developmental disorders
Payment Schedule and Method
DLA is normally paid every four weeks on Wednesdays. If the regular payment date falls on a bank holiday, the payment is typically made earlier.
All benefits, including DLA, are deposited into an account under the recipient’s name. This could be a current or basic bank account. The direct deposit mechanism not only keeps funds safe, but it also allows you to access them immediately after they are placed.
Transition from DLA to Other Benefits
As children receiving DLA reach the age of 16, they will transition to appropriate adult benefits based on their location and the extent of their impairment, with help supplied by the benefits authorities via direct communication.
While new adult applications have been phased down, DLA continues to provide critical support for eligible youngsters, adjusting to rising living costs and reflecting the various needs of young people with disabilities.
Also See: DWP Cost of Living Payments are back with a twist, Check new eligibility criteria
