7. Disability living allowance

Disability living allowance (DLA) is a benefit for people with mobility problems and/or care needs as a result of a disability. For claimants aged between 16 and pension age, DLA is being replaced by personal independence payment (PIP) (see here). New claims for DLA can now normally only be made by claimants aged under 16.

DLA has two components:

•a care component, paid at either the lowest, middle or highest rate;
•a mobility component, paid at either the lower or the higher rate.

You can get either the care component or the mobility component, or both. DLA is not means tested and you do not have to have paid any national insurance contributions to get it.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the administration of DLA.

DLA for children will transfer to the Scottish government. This change is planned to start in 2021.The rules for who can get child disability payment and the rates of payment are expected to be similar to DLA. Social Security Scotland will be responsible for administering and paying child disability payment. The upper age limit to make a claim will be 16, but it is expected that entitlement will be able to continue until you turn 18.