From April 2013, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for eligible working age people aged 16 to 64.

This dataset does not include people receiving PIP.


Disability Living Allowance (DLA) provides a non-contributory, non means-tested and tax-free contribution towards the disability-related extra costs of severely disabled people who claim help with those costs before the age of 65.


DLA has two components which can be paid together or on their own:

  • A care component - for people who have needed help with personal care (i.e. attention in connection with their bodily functions and/or continual supervision to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others) for at least 3 months (the 'qualifying period') and are likely to go on needing that help for at least a further 6 months (the 'prospective test'). The care component is paid at three rates:
higher rate - for people who need help with personal care throughout the day and during the night;
middle rate - for people who need help with personal care throughout the day or during the night;
lower rate - for people who need help with personal care during some of the day or are so severely disabled that the cannot prepare a cooked main meal for themselves if they have the ingredients.
  • A mobility component - for people who have had walking difficulties for at least 3 months and are likely to continue to have those difficulties for at least a further 6 months. It is paid at two rates -
higher rate - for people who are physically unable, or virtually unable, to walk;
lower rate - for people who can walk, but need guidance or supervision from another person when walking out of doors on unfamiliar routes.

People who are terminally ill (i.e. have a progressive disease from which death can reasonable be expected within 6 months) automatically qualify for the higher rate care component. They can also qualify for the mobility component if they satisfy the normal rules. For both components they do not have satisfy the qualifying period or the prospective test.

DLA can be awarded for a fixed or an indefinite period. People can continue to receive the allowance after reaching age 65 if they continue to satisfy the entitlement conditions.

Definitions: "-" Nil or Negligible; "." Not applicable; Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest ten; Some additional disclosure control has also been applied. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Caseload: Totals show both the number of people in receipt of an allowance and those with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital.


Reference links:

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Last Update
4 years ago  
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Data summary
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DLA claimants by summary age groups (419.04 kB)Jan 2011 — Jul 2017

Not all data available at ward or CCG level

DLA claimants of all ages receiving higher rate (508.49 kB)Jan 2011 — Jul 2017

People may receive the higher rate for either the care or mobility component, or both

DLA claimants of working age receiving higher rate (202.13 kB)Jan 2011 — Jul 2017

People may receive the higher rate for either the care or mobility component, or both.

Not available at ward or CCG level

DLA claimants of pensionable age receiving higher rate (185.78 kB)Jan 2011 — Jul 2017

People may receive the higher rate for either the care or mobility component, or both.

Not available at ward or CCG level