Individuals who have certain disabilities that affect their mobility or require special care are eligible to receive the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), which is a benefit that is administered by the Department of Work and Pensions by the Department of Work and Pensions. About one million persons in the United Kingdom are currently receiving disability living allowance (DLA), despite the fact that it is being phased out for adults and replaced with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other benefits. However, it is still valid for children under the age of sixteen.
DLA rates have been raised by 6.7% in order to bring them in line with the rising cost of living. This is done to ensure that the assistance that is provided is reflective of the present economic situation. This modification assures that families will continue to be able to afford the necessary care and support for their children without experiencing an excessive amount of financial pressure. Furthermore, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has just published a thorough list of 57 medical problems that potentially qualify a child for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The purpose of this list is to clarify the eligibility criteria and streamline the application process for families.
Introduction to DWP Disability Living Allowance
Children who are under the age of 16 and who have a disability or mobility challenges that need them to require more supervision or care than other children of the same age are eligible for the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has compiled a list of 57 medical problems that can qualify an individual for disability living allowance (DLA). These conditions include a variety of disorders and diseases, including epilepsy, arthritis, visual and hearing difficulties, and severe mental disabilities.
Components and Rates
Each of the two components that make up DLA is meant to cater to a particular set of requirements:
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The minimum rate for persons who require assistance on a part-time basis is £28.70 per week.
Individuals who require regular assistance or continuous monitoring during the day or night are eligible for the weekly rate of £72.66, which is the middle rate.
Individuals who require care at all hours of the day and night are eligible for the highest rate, which is £108.57 per week.
The lower rate is £28.70 per week for individuals who are able to walk but require direction or monitoring while they are outside.
Individuals who are unable to walk or are virtually unable to walk, or who require extensive assistance when going outside due to severe sensory impairments, are eligible for the higher rate of £72.66 per week.
DWP DLA Application Process
If you want to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for a kid, you need to be the child’s parent or someone who is in a parenting capacity. Two different techniques can be used to begin the application process:
An online version of the DLA claim form can be found on the official website of the United Kingdom government. The provision of comprehensive information regarding the child’s condition and the influence it has on their day-to-day existence is of the utmost importance.
Through the telephone: The DLA helpline is accessible for those individuals who would rather have a printed form or who require assistance. This service provides support over a regular telephone, a textphone for individuals who have hearing impairments, and a British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service for users of BSL during office 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
- 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
It is customary for DLA to be paid on a Wednesday once every four weeks. When a bank holiday occurs on the date when the normal payment is due, the payment is typically made sooner than usual.
Each and every benefit, including DLA, is deposited into a bank account that is in the name of the recipient. It is possible for this to be a basic or a current bank account. Not only does the direct deposit system guarantee the security of the funds, but it also makes it possible to access them immediately after they have been placed.