What Illnesses Qualify for Disability Living Allowance

What Illnesses Qualify for Disability Living Allowance | December 2023

It’s important to realise that the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) benefit is intended for people who have a disability or health condition that affects their daily lives or mobility when considering what illnesses qualify for this benefit.

DLA’s care and mobility parts support various facets of everyday life in their respective ways.

Understanding Disability Living Allowance

The UK government offers Disability Living Allowance, or DLA, as a disability benefit. It is primarily intended to assist people with mobility issues or who require more care than a typical person their age.

DLA is not means-tested, so it is unaffected by income, savings, or other benefits like universal credit or attendance allowance. This is a crucial point to keep in mind.

The care and mobility components are the two main divisions of DLA. While the mobility component is for people who need help getting around, the care component is for people who need help with personal care.

Not only adults may use the DLA. The Child Disability Payment is available to anyone under the age of 16 who has a disability or medical condition that necessitates more care or supervision than a typical child their age would require.

People who reached the state pension age are eligible for the Adult Disability Payment. This compensation is intended to assist with the additional daily living expenses brought on by a disability or medical condition.

Eligibility Criteria for Disability Allowance

You must fulfil specific requirements to be eligible for the DLA. These requirements guarantee that those who need the DLA the most will receive it.

One of the essential requirements is that the person must suffer from a physical or mental illness that significantly impairs their ability to walk or necessitates special care. It must have been present for at least three months and anticipated to last six months.

The regulations and eligibility requirements may change for people who reside in Northern Ireland. To learn the specific laws that apply in Northern Ireland, it is advisable to consult a local citizens’ advice service or another organisation.

Mental Health Conditions and Disability Allowance

DLA may be available for those with mental health issues. The person must, however, require more care or mobility cases due to these conditions than a person of the same age who is mentally healthy.

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia are common mental health conditions that may be eligible for DLA.

Each claim is evaluated separately, considering the seriousness and effect of the situation on the person’s day-to-day activities.

In the UK, the social security system acknowledges that mental health issues can be just as crippling as physical ones. As a result, DLA claimants with mental health issues receive the same level of attention as those with physical health issues.

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Physical Disabilities and Allowance Qualification

A person may be eligible for DLA if they have physical disabilities. These impairments may range from problems with mobility to challenges with regular activities like eating, washing, dressing, or cooking.

Cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injuries are physical conditions that may be eligible for DLA. Once more, each claim is evaluated individually, considering the severity of the disability and how it affects the person’s daily life.

The DLA can offer substantial financial assistance to help physically disabled people pay the additional expenses related to their disability. These costs cover personal care, mobility devices, and home modifications.

Chronic Illnesses and Disability Allowance

Individuals may also be eligible for DLA if they have a three-month or more chronic illness. These might include fibromyalgia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and heart disease.

The evaluation for DLA in the case of chronic illnesses is based on how the condition affects the person’s day-to-day functioning and capacity for self-care.

The disease itself doesn’t determine it. Providing as much information as possible about how the disease affects daily activities and mobility is essential when requesting DLA.

If the chronic illness is terminal and a reasonable expectation of death within six months exists, special rules apply. Regardless of the level of care they require, the person will be qualified for the highest rate of the care component of DLA in these circumstances.

Assessing the Severity of Illness

A significant factor in determining eligibility for DLA is the severity of the illness or disability. The DLA claim form requires specific information regarding how the condition affects the person’s mobility and ability to carry out daily activities.

The assessment considers the person’s ability to walk or move around, whether they require assistance with personal care or supervision to prevent endangering themselves or others.

If a child is receiving a disability payment, the assessment will take into account whether or not the child requires more care or supervision than a child of the same age who is not disabled.

The child’s needs are contrasted with those of a child of the same age without a health issue or disability.

Application Process for Disability Allowance

The DLA application procedure can be complicated. It entails completing a DLA claim form with specific information regarding the person’s health or disability and how it impacts their day-to-day life.

The claim form can be downloaded from the Social Security Scotland website or obtained from the Disability Service Centre. For the assessors to clearly understand the person’s needs, providing as much information as possible on the form is critical.

The completed form must be submitted to the Disability Service Centre. If approved, the applicant will receive payments typically made every four weeks.

"The UK government offers Disability Living Allowance, or DLA, as a disability benefit. It is primarily intended to assist people with mobility issues or who require more care than a typical person their age."

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Appealing a Disability Allowance Decision

Individuals have the right to appeal if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of their DLA claim. Requesting a mandatory reconsideration, where the decision is reevaluated, is the first step in the appeals process.

After the required reconsideration, if the person is still dissatisfied, they may file an appeal with the Social Security Tribunal. This is an impartial organisation that decides social security appeals.

Anyone considering filing an appeal is advised to get advice from a citizen’s advice service or other similar organisation. They can offer helpful suggestions and direction regarding the appeals process.

The DLA is an essential benefit for people with a disability or health issue that affects their ability to move around or go about their daily lives.

Understanding the requirements for eligibility and the application procedure will help you or a loved one get the assistance they require.

Impact of Other Benefits on Disability Living Allowance

Even though Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is not means-tested, it is essential to remember that receiving DLA may impact other benefits such as income support, pension credit, or housing benefits.

On the other hand, if you already receive DLA, you cannot claim certain benefits. Constant Attendance Allowance, for instance, can typically only be requested at a different time than DLA.

DLA may also impact your tax credits. You might receive more money if you are qualified for DLA and the working tax credit. The same is true for council tax; if you receive DLA, you might be eligible for a discount.

Support for Disabled Children and Young People

Children and teenagers with disabilities can also get assistance. Those under 16 with a medical condition that requires additional care are eligible for the Disabled Child Payment.

This is in addition to the DLA and, as before, is not based on the financial resources of the parents or carers.

The Disabled Students Allowance can offer extra financial assistance to young people in education to help with any additional costs a student may incur due to their disability. This is frequently used to pay for specialised tools or non-medical support personnel.

Additional Financial Support for the Disabled

Other forms of financial assistance besides DLA are accessible to those with disabilities. A disabled person can live more independently at home with the help of the Disabled Facilities Grant.

Another benefit available to those with disabilities who struggle with daily tasks or mobility is the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Between the age of 16 and the state pension age, it has replaced the DLA.

Veterans of the armed forces who have sustained severe injuries while serving are eligible for the Armed Forces Independence Payment. It aims to offer financial assistance to help with the additional expenses of living with a disability.

Understanding Severe Disablement Allowance and Limited Capability

Significant Disability: Those who cannot work due to illness or disability receive an allowance. You must be medically or physically unable to work for at least 28 weeks to be eligible.

Limited ability to work is a factor considered when determining eligibility for some benefits, including Universal Credit. You may be eligible for a higher use rate if your work capacity is limited.

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Meet the author

Jane Parkinson

Jane is one of our primary content writers and specialises in elder care. She has a degree in English language and literature from Manchester University and has been writing and reviewing products for a number of years.

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